Looking Beyond Skin-Deep Similarities: College Instructor-Student Demographic Match Versus Perceived Similarity

• In Event: 63.086 - Sheraton Roundtable 11 - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 63.086-4 - Teachers and Their Students: Considering Demographic Mismatches

Abstract

Students of color experience more negative outcomes in college than White students, but a growing body of evidence suggests students benefit when assigned to a demographically similar instructor. But, the number of faculty of color at colleges pale in comparison to the increasingly diverse student body. One potential solution involves leveraging the psychological principle of similarity to help instructors and students see beyond their skin-deep similarities. We explored how students’ demographic (race) and perceived similarity with their instructors predicted the quality of instructor-student relationships (ISRs) and student grades. We found that students’ perceptions of similarity (as opposed to race matching) predicted more positive student outcomes. We discuss the implications for researchers and practitioners for improving outcomes for students of color.

Authors

• Carly Dolan Robinson, Harvard University

• Whitney Scott, California State University - Northridge

• Michael A. Gottfried, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Hunter Gehlbach, University of California - Santa Barbara