I study stereotyping and prejudice, and am particularly interested in how stereotypes guide the judgments we make about others. Highlighting the role of stereotypes as standards, my research examines the "shifting" nature of evidentiary standards (e.g., how much evidence is needed for a woman versus a man to document "competence" in a masculine work setting?), judgment, and behavior toward members of stereotyped groups. Most recently, my graduate students and I have been examining the role of stereotypes in communications about others, and the use of shifting standards in interpreting those communications.

Primary Interests:

Attitudes and Beliefs
Prejudice and Stereotyping
Self and Identity
Social Cognition

Attitudes and Beliefs
Prejudice and Stereotyping

Self and Identity
Social Cognition

Books:

Adams, G., Biernat, M., Branscombe, N. R., Crandall, C. S., & Wrightsman, L. S. (Eds.). (2008). Commemorating Brown: The social psychology of racism and discrimination. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Journal Articles:

Biernat, M., Collins, E.C., Katzarska-Miller, I., & Thompson, E. (2009). Race-based shifting standards and racial discriination. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 35, 16-28.
Biernat, M., Ma, J. E., & Nario-Redmond, M. R. (2008). Standards to suspect and diagnose stereotypical traits. Social Cognition, 26, 288-313.
Collins, E.C., Biernat, M., & Eidelman, S. (2009). Stereotypes in the communication and translation of person impressions. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 45, 368-374.
Eidelman, S., & Biernat, M. (2007). Getting more from success: Standard-raising as esteem maintenance. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 759-774.

Other Publications:

Biernat, M. (2009). Stereotypes and shifting standards. In T. D. Nelson (Eds.), Handbook of prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination (pp. 137-152). New York: Psychology Press.
Biernat, M., & Eidelman, S. (2007). Standards. In A. W. Kruglanski & E. T. Higgins (Eds.), Social psychology: Handbook of basic principles (pp. 308-333). New York: Guilford Press.

Courses Taught:

Advanced Social Psychology
Social Attitudes
Social Cognition
Social Psychology

Advanced Social Psychology
Social Attitudes

Social Cognition
Social Psychology

Monica Biernat
Department of Psychology
University of Kansas, 426 Fraser Hall
1415 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS 66045
United States

Phone: (785) 864-9815
Fax: (785) 864-5696