Somatic Markers of Social Prejudice (2008-2009)

Two laboratory studies are proposed to test hypotheses derived from a new model of prejudice called the Somatic Marker Model of Prejudice. Using psychophysiological measures of facial muscle activity and arousal, the aims are to investigate the relationship of somatic markers of prejudice to discrimination, decision-making, and sensitivity to one's internal emotional state. The proposed research is both novel and innovative, as it makes explicit connections between developments in the social psychology of prejudice and cognitive neuroscience by using a new theoretical model. An important outcome will be establishment of a laboratory paradigm that can be used with functional magnetic resonance imaging.