Dr. Sarah Gaither

Biography

Sarah Elizabeth Gaither is an Associate Professor at Duke University in the Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience and African & African American Studies. Her research focuses on individuals’ social identities and experiences across the lifespan, specifically how these identities motivate social perceptions and behaviors in diverse settings. Gaither is particularly interested in how intergroup contact shapes interracial interactions, examining both racial majority and minority individuals. She has contributed significantly to the study of social group dynamics among children and the socializing preferences of ethnic majority and minority groups. Gaither has received multiple grants from the National Science Foundation for her research on identity mindsets and intergroup interactions, and she serves as the Associate Director of Graduate Studies in her department. Throughout her academic career, she has published a range of articles that explore the complexities of social behavior and identity, making her a respected voice in her research fields.

Research Interests