Donna Garcia

My research focuses on the self-perpetuating nature of social inequality via its effects on human functioning (e.g., motivation, achievement, self-regulation, and psychological and physiological well-being). Specifically, I am interested in the impact that inequality has on psychological and social processes, which in turn impair the successful functioning of low status group members (e.g., Women or Hispanic and African Americans) but often enhance the functioning of those from high status groups (e.g., Men and European Americans). My study of the effects of social inequality involves three related areas: (1) Why and how social inequality affects human functioning, (2) the social pressures that discourage people from challenging discrimination, and (3) the self-fulfilling role that awareness of their “social value” plays in people’s outcomes.

My teaching interests include social psychology, health psychology, and research methods in social psychology.