McNair Scholar 2024 - Olivia Sanchez
Olivia R. Sanchez is a senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, double majoring in
political science and gender, women, and sexuality studies, and minoring in Chicano-Latino studies. Her research interests include the political psychology of marginalized groups. Ms. Sanchez plans on obtaining a Ph.D. in political science.
Quote from Olivia Sanchez
My dream is to obtain a Ph.D. and become a professor to research and advocate for marginalized groups in America. As a first-generation student, I also dream of helping future students who are similar to myself.
Research project
The Ethnocentric Impulse that Underlies Multiple Prejudices and Partisan Choices in the United States
Abstract
Prejudice takes multiple forms against multiple groups and shapes the political choices of American voters. Public opinion researchers have developed many different survey questions to measure prejudice. However, past research focused largely on the black-white binary, mostly neglecting other minorities until recently. Our research question is to what extent a shared ethnocentric impulse connects these prejudices, where one’s prejudice toward a group could predict other group prejudices. Furthermore, it will be possible to determine if such an impulse then affects Americans’ partisanship or voting behavior. For this study, the American National Election Studies and General Social Survey from 1990-2020 are analyzed to compile all survey questions that evaluate these minority groups. The data will be used to test the hypothesis that a single, latent ethnocentric impulse drives responses to the group-specific questions. A validated scale of ethnocentric impulse could then be used to identify the causal impact it has on U.S. voting and partisanship.
Faculty mentor
Dr. Paul Goren is a Professor of Political Science with courses on American politics, public opinion, political parties, and political psychology. He is the author of On Voter Competence and the co-author of Moral Issues: How Public Opinion on Abortion and Gay Rights Affects American Religion and Politics. He has also authored the monograph Stronger Issues, Weaker Predispositions: Abortion, Gay Rights, and Authoritarianism. His research appears in multiple political science journals. His current research centers on abortion and LGBT rights politics; how basic values affect public opinion; racial prejudice and support for the welfare state; and issue-driven party sorting.