The Social Perception & Attitudes (SPA) Lab is a psychological research team at Providence College that investigates the operation of intergroup biases in the social world. In particular, we examine how stereotypes interact with goals and norms to influence our perceptions, attitudes, thoughts, and behavior within intergroup contexts. Our research is theoretically grounded in several areas, including social, organizational, legal, and political psychology, and employs a variety of methods, such as surveys, reaction-time measures, and behavioral assessments. This integrated approach helps us identify the sociocultural and cognitive processes that drive intergroup biases, which in turn helps us better understand how they may develop and how they can be reduced.
Lab Director & Principle Investigator
Dr. Saaid A. Mendoza
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Faculty-in-Residence, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Dr. Mendoza received his B.A. in psychology from Rice University in 2004, where he studied stigmas in the workplace with his mentor, Dr. Mikki Hebl. As a doctoral student at New York University, he examined the self-regulation of implicit racial stereotypes and biases against gender norm violators with his advisors, Dr. David Amodio and Dr. Madeline Heilman. After earning his Ph.D. in 2010, he received a four-year visiting appointment at Amherst College and joined the faculty at Providence College in 2014. He was recently promoted to associate professor with tenure and serves as the principle investigator of the SPA Lab, which trains undergraduates to conduct psychological research in the area of intergroup bias. Dr. Mendoza also helps oversee diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Providence College, earning him the 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Award.
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
Faculty-in-Residence, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Dr. Mendoza received his B.A. in psychology from Rice University in 2004, where he studied stigmas in the workplace with his mentor, Dr. Mikki Hebl. As a doctoral student at New York University, he examined the self-regulation of implicit racial stereotypes and biases against gender norm violators with his advisors, Dr. David Amodio and Dr. Madeline Heilman. After earning his Ph.D. in 2010, he received a four-year visiting appointment at Amherst College and joined the faculty at Providence College in 2014. He was recently promoted to associate professor with tenure and serves as the principle investigator of the SPA Lab, which trains undergraduates to conduct psychological research in the area of intergroup bias. Dr. Mendoza also helps oversee diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Providence College, earning him the 2021 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Award.
Lab Members
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Lab Alumni
2022
Tiffany Berry - Research Assistant, Boston Children's Hospital
Samantha Sierra
Hope Tiboni - Assistant Account Executive, Porter Novelli
2021
Alexandra Baker - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University
Katherine Mandarakas - MEd in Literacy, Providence College
Samantha Matzerath - Executive Recruiter, Daversa Partners NYC
Michael Pettinato - MS in Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
2020
Alison LeMoigne - Fitness Instructor, HealthyFit for Women NYC
2019
Jaylee Gendreau - MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, Endicott College
Isabel Ortiz Mendiguren - MA/EdS in School Psychology, Tufts University
Natalie Phelps - Middle School Math Teacher, Saint Columbkille Partnership School
Caroline Royal - MSEd in Counseling & Mental Health Services, University of Pennsylvania
Julianne Szemko - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
2018
Margaret Branham - MS in Speech & Language Pathology, Northeastern University
Marissa DiMaria - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University New England
Lauren Martone - MA in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota University-Mankato; PhD in School Psychology, University of Utah
2017
Jillian Doherty - Pre-Medical Program, Harvard Extension School
Julie James - Regulatory Coordinator, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
2016
Melissa Sheil - MA in Higher Education-Student Affairs, Boston College
Tiffany Berry - Research Assistant, Boston Children's Hospital
Samantha Sierra
Hope Tiboni - Assistant Account Executive, Porter Novelli
2021
Alexandra Baker - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University
Katherine Mandarakas - MEd in Literacy, Providence College
Samantha Matzerath - Executive Recruiter, Daversa Partners NYC
Michael Pettinato - MS in Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
2020
Alison LeMoigne - Fitness Instructor, HealthyFit for Women NYC
2019
Jaylee Gendreau - MS in Applied Behavior Analysis, Endicott College
Isabel Ortiz Mendiguren - MA/EdS in School Psychology, Tufts University
Natalie Phelps - Middle School Math Teacher, Saint Columbkille Partnership School
Caroline Royal - MSEd in Counseling & Mental Health Services, University of Pennsylvania
Julianne Szemko - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
2018
Margaret Branham - MS in Speech & Language Pathology, Northeastern University
Marissa DiMaria - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University New England
Lauren Martone - MA in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota University-Mankato; PhD in School Psychology, University of Utah
2017
Jillian Doherty - Pre-Medical Program, Harvard Extension School
Julie James - Regulatory Coordinator, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
2016
Melissa Sheil - MA in Higher Education-Student Affairs, Boston College
