Research Microcultures as Socialization Contexts for Underrepresented Science Students.
Dustin B Thoman1, Gregg A Muragishi2, Jessi L Smith3
11 Department of Psychology, San Diego State University.
Psychological Science
|May 2, 2017
Summary
Scientific research labs foster prosocial-affordance beliefs (PABs) in students. These beliefs influence motivation, especially for underrepresented minority (URM) students, highlighting the impact of lab culture on science careers.
Area of Science:
- STEM Education
- Sociology of Science
- Psychology of Motivation
Background:
- Prosocial-affordance beliefs (PABs) in science are crucial for student motivation.
- Understanding the social dynamics within research labs is key to fostering scientific interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if prosocial-affordance beliefs (PABs) spread within research groups.
- To determine if these beliefs influence individual student motivation, particularly for underrepresented minority (URM) students.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal survey data collected from 522 undergraduate research assistants across 41 labs at six institutions.
- Multilevel modeling used to analyze the influence of aggregate lab PABs on individual student motivation.
- Controlled for individual-level PABs to isolate the socialization effect.
Main Results:
- A significant socialization effect was observed for underrepresented minority (URM) students.
- Aggregate lab PABs predicted URM students' initial PABs and subsequent interest in science.
- This effect persisted even after controlling for individual PABs, confirming group influence.
Conclusions:
- Research labs act as microcultures, transmitting science norms and values that shape student motivation.
- Underrepresented minority (URM) students are particularly receptive to these group influences.
- Broadening participation in science requires understanding and leveraging these group processes to convey prosocial values.
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