Psychology: Diversity in Psychology

 

Diversity in Psychology

The graduate students and faculty in the Psychology Department at the University of Virginia are committed to promoting a diverse body of students and faculty and establishing an environment that facilitates understanding of different perspectives and beliefs. We value research on underrepresented populations as well as investigation of psychological processes that forward the progress and scientific knowledge of a diverse society. We believe that diversity is an integral aspect of an inclusive and vibrant field of psychology.

Diversity Representation Committee Members

 

Diversity Research at the University of Virginia

 

Charlotte J. Patterson

Featured Faculty Researcher of the Semester Janetta Lun

How does parental sexual orientation affect child development? Much of my recent work has been designed to address this question. Together with students and other colleagues, I have conducted studies of child development among youngsters who were conceived by lesbian or heterosexual parents, using the resources of a single sperm bank; I have studied children parented by lesbian and heterosexual parents both in Northern California and in Central Virginia; and I have studied data about teenagers living with same-sex couples that are drawn from national samples of adolescents in the United States. Our findings suggest that, while the offspring of lesbian mothers are developing in positive ways, and are in fact difficult to distinguish from the children of heterosexual parents on many assessments, they do experience upbringings that are different in some respects from those of youngsters growing up with heterosexual parents. For instance, lesbian and heterosexual couples describe their divisions of labor in quite different ways, with heterosexual couples more likely to specialize - he in paid employment and she in unpaid household work and childcare - and lesbian couples more likely to share both paid and unpaid labor evenly. I am interested in learning more about what impact this and other differences in their upbringings may have on the offspring of lesbian and gay parents.

Studies that are currently underway include an internet survey of lesbian and gay families with children, and a study of lesbian, gay, and heterosexual couples and their adoptive children. In future work, I would especially like to study fertility intentions of young adults in sexual minority communities as well as to learn more about the experiences of children growing up with gay fathers. I hope that this research will shed light on classic questions about what is important in parenting as well as on contemporary legal and policy issues relevant to sexual orientation and family life.

More information about Charlotte J. Patterson.
 

Faculty and Student Research with Underrepresented Populations

More examples of research by faculty and students.

 

International & Minority Graduate Students in Psychology

Contact current international and minority graduate students in the Psychology department.

 

University of Virginia Resources

 

Voices of Diversity at UVA
Office of African-American Affairs
Black Student Alliance
University of Virginia International
International Students Page
Asian Student Union
Vietnamese Student Association
Asian Pacific Americans
Caribbean Student Association
Latin American Student Association
European Society
National Organization for Women
Queer Student Union
Diversity Related Student Organizations
Office of Admissions
Minority Rights Coalition
LGBT resource center
Women's Center
Learning Needs and Evaluation Center

 

External Resources

 

American Association of University Women
Association of Black Psychologists
Asian American Psychological Association
APA Division 35: Society for the Psychology of Women
APA Division 44: The Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues
APA Division 45: Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues
National Latina/o Psychological Association
Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs, American Psychological Association
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Society for Cross-Cultural Research
Surviving and Thriving in Academia: A Guide for Women and Ethnic Minorities, 1998

 

Source of Funding for Minority Students and Research on Diverse Populations

 

American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program
Society for Neuroscience Diversity in Neuroscience
Hyde Student Research Grant
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Research Grants
Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowships


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