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Research
Research
- Experiences of Identity Threat
Highlighting the experiences of marginalized groups, this research examines manifestations of stigma and bias across contexts. One focus is Nonverbal Marginalization (discriminatory behavioral patterns in one-on-one and group contexts), which predicts more negative well-being outcomes (e.g., distress) for Black Americans and workplace outcomes (e.g., organizational dissatisfaction) for women, above and beyond verbal discrimination. Another focus is the role of meta-stereotypes (the stereotypes people believe others hold about them based on their social identity) in intergroup interactions. For example, when women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) believe men perceive them as nerdy, they report more negative peer relationships with men. This research is ongoing, so stay tuned for upcoming talks and publications!
Integrated theoretical model of identity-relevant disclosure from marginalized group members and responsiveness from dominant group members (Manfreda, Lopez, et al., 2026)
2. Bridges of Intergroup Contact
2. Bridges of Intergroup Contact
Focusing on when barriers to intergroup interactions are reduced, this research identifies ways to foster more positive interactions across racial groups. My primary focus is disclosure (sharing personal information with others) and responsiveness as mechanisms for strengthening closs-race friendship. Specifically, I examine contextual factors that facilitate racially minoritized individuals’ disclosure of racial experiences to White friends and allies and how responsiveness from White people can foster greater closeness in cross-race relationships. I also contribute to research exploring how virtual reality can be leveraged to better understand and improve conversations about race in interracial interactions. Read more about this work in Manfreda, 2025, Manfreda, Yantis, & Taylor, 2026; Manfreda, Lopez, et al., 2026, and Taylor, Manfreda, et al., 2026.
Peer-reviewed Publications
Manfreda, S., Lopez, B., Benson, T., & Taylor, V.J. (2026). Safety in disclosure: An integrated model of dyadic disclosure of marginalized group members across identities to dominant group members. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 20(10), e70183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/spc3.70183
Taylor, V.J., Manfreda, S., Valladares, J.V., Cutler, J.M. (2026). 'Race Talk' in immersive virtual environments: Examining White Americans' responses to racial violence during an interracial interaction. Computers in Human Behavior, in press.
Manfreda, S., Yantis, C., Taylor, V.J. (2026). Racially minoritized individuals’ responses to identity-safety and -threat relational cues in imagined interactions with White strangers, friends, and allies. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. 10.1037/cdp0000788. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000788
Manuscripts Under Review
Manuscripts in Preparation (Advanced Stages)
Manfreda, S. & Taylor, V.J. (2026). Let’s talk politics: 2024 U.S. presidential election disclosures in inter- and intra-racial contexts among Black and White Americans [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University.
Manfreda, S., Taylor, V.J., Baker, A., Foy, E., Sanchez, D.T. (2026). Nonverbal Marginalization: Understanding Black Americans’ Stigmatization through Nonverbal Communication During Interracial Interactions. [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University.
Manfreda, S. & Sanchez, D. (2026). Nonverbal Marginalization: Stigmatization of Women through Nonverbal Communication with Men in Everyday and Workplace Contexts. [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University.
Manfreda, S. & Taylor, V.J. (2026). Multi-dimensional gender-STEM meta-stereotypes and implications for inter- and intra-group interactions and domain belonging. [Manuscript in preparation]. Department of Psychology, Rutgers University.
Research Awards
Research Awards
Research Award (2026), Psychology Department, Rutgers University ($250)
Graduate Research Fellowship (2025), National Science Foundation (Honorable Mention)
Graduate Student Poster Award (2025), Society of Personality and Social Psychology ($100)
Presidential Graduate Research Fellowship (2023), Auburn University (declined)
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