53rd annual psychology symposium to look at prejudice and racism

The 53rd annual Nebraska Symposium on Motivation March 24-25 will look at prejudice and racism.

The study of prejudice and racism is among the oldest interests in social psychology. While early researchers looked at individual processes and personality deficits as motives to racism and prejudice, later studies looked at the cognitive processes that promote, maintain and transmit prejudice and how discrimination is detected and controlled. Recently, psychologists have renewed their interest in the motives that drive prejudice and racism.

The present understanding of stereotyping and prejudice stems from basic motives (such as belonging, understanding and power). New approaches to the understanding of prejudice and racism must include the study of a combination of cognitive and motivational aspects. Current research examines the influences that prejudice and racism have for the targets of racial biases.

This year's symposium will highlight the work of scholars who are at the forefront of research on the motivational aspects of prejudice and racism and the impact of such forces on the targets of racial bias.

Scheduled speakers are Lawrence Bobo, Teresa LaFrombroise and Amadao Padilla of Stanford University; John Brigham, Florida State University; John Dovidio, University of Connecticut; and Samuel Gaertner, University of Delaware.

The symposium is free and open to the public; qualified individuals may receive continuing education credits. Participants are encouraged to register by visiting the symposium Web site (www.unl.edu/psypage/symposium/Schedule.htm).

The symposium will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at the Nebraska Union, 1400 R St. It is co-sponsored by the UNL Department of Psychology. For information, contact Cynthia W. Esqueda, associate professor of psychology and symposium organizer, at cwillis-esqueda1@unl.edu or (402) 472-3740.

CONTACT: Cynthia Willis-Esqueda, Assoc. Professor, Psychology & Ethnic Studies, (402) 472-3740