Building Robust & Inclusive Democracy

Research/Areas of Interest

Social Cognition, Stereotyping, Prejudice, Discrimination

Education

  • PhD, Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States, 1998
  • MA, Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, United States, 1994
  • AB, Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States, 1991

Biography

Dr. Keith Maddox is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Tufts University Social Cognition (TUSC) Lab. He received his AB (1991) in psychology from the University of Michigan, and his MA (1994) and PhD (1998) in social psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His lab is focused on research programs examining social cognitive aspects of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination – seeking to understand topics such as: cognitive representations and stereotypes of African Americans based on variation in skin tone and other phenotypic characteristics; how stereotypes and prejudice influence perceptions of those who claim to be the targets of discrimination; stereotype threat among members of socially marginalized groups; and the role of social categories in spatial representation. As the United States becomes a more diverse society, issues surrounding stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination will continue to gain importance. The long-range goal of this work is to further the understanding of the representation of stereotypic knowledge and its implications for the behavior and treatment of members of stereotyped groups.

Dr. Maddox is a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. He is the recipient of grants from the National Science Foundation, the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and the Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service. He has received the Faculty/Staff Multicultural Service Award, the Gerald R. Gill Distinguished Service Award, and the Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award from Tufts University. He has also received the Early Career Citation for Service and the Jenessa Shapiro Award for Contributions to Diversity & Inclusion Award from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology.