Brian M. Donovan

Research Interests:

Research in my lab uses prevention science methods to study the interplay between genetics education and social cognition. Specifically, we use randomized trials and quasi-experimental designs to study how conceptual learning about genetics (i.e., Mendelian, Molecular, Population, and Behavioral genetics) affects the development of "genetic essentialism". Genetic essentialism is a social-cognitive form of prejudice and also a scientifically inaccurate system of beliefs that can inhibit biology learning. Our aim is to learn how to prevent the development of genetic essentialist beliefs by improving the efficacy of behavioral genetics instruction. We hypothesize that such instruction can reduce prejudice and improve academic performance in biology.

Active Grants:

• NSF DRK-12 2452096, Role: Principal investigator
• NSF ECR-Core 2450246, Role: Principal investigator
• NSF IUSE 2450245, Role: Principal investigator

Additional Resources: