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
Assistant 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 full-time faculty at Providence College as an assistant professor in 2014. He serves as the principle investigator of the SPA Lab, which trains motivated undergraduates to conduct psychological research in the area of intergroup bias. In addition to his research, Dr. Mendoza also consults and provides workshop trainings on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Assistant 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 full-time faculty at Providence College as an assistant professor in 2014. He serves as the principle investigator of the SPA Lab, which trains motivated undergraduates to conduct psychological research in the area of intergroup bias. In addition to his research, Dr. Mendoza also consults and provides workshop trainings on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Lab Members
Alex Baker (PC '21)
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Katherine Mandarakas (PC '21)
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Samantha Matzerath (PC '21)
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Michael Pettinato (PC '21)
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Lab Alumni
Jaylee Gendreau (PC '19) - Behavior Technician, Bierman ABA Autism Center
Isabel Ortiz Mendiguren (PC '19) - MA/EdS in School Psychology, Tufts University
Natalie Phelps (PC '19) - Lead Teacher, Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy
Caroline Royal (PC '19) - MSEd in Counseling & Mental Health Services, University of Pennsylvania
Julianne Szemko (PC '19) - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
Maggie Branham (PC '18) - Medical Assistant, Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Marissa DiMaria (PC '18) - Case Manager, Equinox Inc.
Lauren Martone (PC '18) - MA in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota University-Mankato; PhD in School Psychology, University of Utah
Jillian Doherty (PC '17) - Clinical Research Coordinator II, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Julie James (PC '17) - Regulatory Coordinator, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Melissa Sheil (PC '16) - MA in Higher Education-Student Affairs , Boston College
Julianne Szemko (PC '19) - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
Isabel Ortiz Mendiguren (PC '19) - MA/EdS in School Psychology, Tufts University
Natalie Phelps (PC '19) - Lead Teacher, Achievement First Providence Mayoral Academy
Caroline Royal (PC '19) - MSEd in Counseling & Mental Health Services, University of Pennsylvania
Julianne Szemko (PC '19) - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
Maggie Branham (PC '18) - Medical Assistant, Massachusetts Eye & Ear
Marissa DiMaria (PC '18) - Case Manager, Equinox Inc.
Lauren Martone (PC '18) - MA in Clinical Psychology, Minnesota University-Mankato; PhD in School Psychology, University of Utah
Jillian Doherty (PC '17) - Clinical Research Coordinator II, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Julie James (PC '17) - Regulatory Coordinator, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Melissa Sheil (PC '16) - MA in Higher Education-Student Affairs , Boston College
Julianne Szemko (PC '19) - PsyD in Clinical Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology
