Understanding Microaggressions: Implications for Using a Science of Behavior to Promote and Support Safe and Inclusive Environments

Microaggressions are defined as daily verbal and non-verbal assaults directed toward people from historically marginalized and stigmatized groups. When compared with overt acts of racism, microaggressions can cause just as much, if not more, psychological damage. Individuals from historically marginalized groups experience microaggressions in the workplace at an alarming rate, with Black/African American women experiencing the most out of any group. Over the last 10 years, social psychologists have done a lot of work to research the effects of microaggressions and have evaluated ways to address them in many different contexts. Often diversity and inclusion trainings use this body of literature to educate and bring awareness to the concept in order to help address the issue in work spaces. However, research on these types of trainings show mixed results in terms of their effectiveness. One reason we may see mixed results is because of the subjectivity inherent in the definition. Subjective definitions leave room for interpretation which can be problematic when trying to teach the concept of microaggressions. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Rios will review the literature on microaggressions and outline examples on how we can use the research in concept teaching and learning to help objectively define microaggressions which serves as the foundation for employers and others to develop an in-house curriculum that effectively teaches the concept of microaggressions. Additionally, Dr. Rios will outline a model that organizations can adopt to bring awareness, train their staff, and help reduce microaggressions in the workplace.        

3 BACB Ethics CEUs, SW CEUs, SCECH CEUs, and APA CEUs