Nadya Habib
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Myles Durkee
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychology / LSA
Program: UROP
Session: Session 5 (2:40pm – 3:30pm)
Authors: Myles Durkee, Nadya Habib
Abstract
Despite the increase in literature representing people of color, there is limited knowledge regarding the Psychological Implications of racial code-switching among the African American population. Code-switching refers to the process of shifting linguistic codes (languages/ dialects) or style of communicating while speaking to another person, depending on the social context or conversational setting. This project investigates this effect whilst monitoring the psychological, cognitive and physiological reactions to a situation that usually results in code-switching. The experiment is conducted through African American participants having to give a speech to a panel of White judges over Zoom. However, this is a pre-recorded video of them portraying intimidating looks. The stress, blood pressure, heart rate and other measures are monitored throughout the study to see if there is a change due to code-switching. The data is collected using physiological measures and later coded for analysis. The study’s results have yet to be analyzed as we are still in the data collection stage. Thus although no final conclusions can be stated yet, we do notice a trend of increased blood pressure during their speech to the panel in which they are hypothesized to code switch. These ideas relate to the larger picture because the experience of invalidating one’s membership within a specific social group has psychological implications. Dr. Durkee aims to conduct follow-up research investigating the psychological implications of code-switching, but this time among people of the same race. Thus, the findings of this study will add to the growing literature regarding the behavior of people of color when they experience external pressure to code-switch.
