RUI: Processing ambiguity: From initial perception to race classification of multiracial faces in diverse observers

The primary objectives of this proposal are to investigate basic cognitive and social psychological factors implicated in multiracial face perception. The proposed research is divided into two related phases that address basic science questions building on our current NSF-funded research (BCS 175-9541). Special attention has been paid to developing a research program and designing studies that foster and sustain active student involvement at all stages of research, while providing training opportunities and professional networking targeting students of color. Phase 1 extends our current research showing that, on average, people do not have distinct mental representations of multiracial individuals using Multidimensional Scaling producedures. Here, we build on these findings guided by preliminary data from our lab suggesting that certain perceivers may be able to accommodate multiracial faces in psychological space. Through this work we aim to identify the cognitive factors that are critical to perceiving and categorizing faces as multiracial. Phase 2 explores early attentional processes and the intertemporal dynamics involved in multiracial face perception and categorization. Using statistical modeling techniques and EEG, we explore how early processing of multiracial faces informs later categorization.