Culture & Social Development Lab

Principal Investigator: Oscar A. Baldelomar, Ph.D.

Research assistants Undergraduate: Elliott Krost, Gaby Yuwono, Kaitlyn Stetzer, Joanna Tanabu, Wanyi Fu, Sarah Tannous, Riley Hensley, Danica Chavez, Dominque QuintanaExternal: Danny O. Baldelomar, Issac Velasquez

Examining the dynamic intersection between culture and social development

We explore how culture influences youth's social development, including identity formation, acculturation, social cognition, and inter-group relationships within diverse cultural contexts in the U.S. and abroad.

Current Research Projects & Scholarship

Adolescents' Ethnic-Racial Identity & Scripture

In collaboration with Dr. Carmen Imes (Talbot) we are creating a curriculum on multicultural Bible figures, such as Ruth and Paul, to provide Scriptural models for nurturing a God-centered ethnic-racial identity development among adolescents.

LINK TO PROJECT

Screen Technology &

Bribri Indigenous Adolescents

in Costa Rica

A study examining the impact of screen technology (e.g., cellphones) and media usage (e.g., social media) on the ethnic identity and mental health of indigenous Bribri adolescents in rural Talamanca, Costa Rica.

LINK TO PROJECT

Culture, Psychology & Integration

Our aim is to integrate contextual theologies and psychological science in service of the global church. We examine questions such as: How should culture be engaged in the integration of psychology and theology? How might a culture-sensitive integration enrich, inform, and serve the global body of Christ?