Measuring Institutional Racial Bias Costs for Black Students at Predominantly White Institutions

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 3:35 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Race- and Culture-Informed Approaches to Motivation Research (Table 1)

Abstract

This study aims to develop and validate the Institutional Racial Bias Cost (IRBC) scale, a race-focused construct within Situated Expectancy-Value Theory (SEVT), to capture the experiences of Black students at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Using cognitive interviewing procedures and qualitative analysis, the research highlights the pervasive impact of institutional racial factors on both academic and personal life. High levels of agreement were found for items reflecting racial stereotypes, academic pressures, and financial burdens. This study underscores the importance of centering Black students' voices in scale development and offers theoretical and practical recommendations to address institutional racial bias costs.

Authors

• Tiffany B. House, Tufts University

• Keturah Ragland, Tufts University

• Jada Ford, Tufts University

• Akane Zusho, Fordham University