Maya Presents at SPSSI !

This past week, Maya presented her research on the role of positively-valenced first-person narratives in shifting attitudes about incarcerated individuals and the legal justice system at SPSSI (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues). SPSSI is an annual event that provides a forum for scholars, practitioners, and activists to discuss and share research related to social issues. 

See Maya’s abstract below:

Exposure to stories and narratives can influence people’s social attitudes and beliefs. For instance, evidence suggests that reading positively-valenced stories about individuals from stigmatized groups can reduce prejudice towards members of these groups. However, it remains unknown whether exposure to positively-valenced stories about stigmatized groups leaves readers more aware of and willing to oppose the systemic biases that impact these groups. In this study, we examine whether reading positively-valenced first-person narratives about incarcerated protagonists 1) lowers prejudice towards incarcerated people, 2) increases awareness of systemic bias in mass incarceration, and 3) increases policy support for reform of the justice system. We find that, compared to control, positive carceral narratives increase empathy and decrease prejudice towards incarcerated people, and seem to improve support for prosocial carceral policies (ie, better food in prisons). However, these stories do not reliably affect participants’ awareness of systemic bias in the justice system, nor increase their support for reconstructive policies (ie, reducing mandatory minimum sentences). This research makes an important distinction between the interpersonal and systemic attitudes that people may develop as a result of positive narrative exposure, and lays the groundwork for future research into the barriers and facilitators of communicating about systemic bias using narrative tools.