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Bonita London

Bonita London

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My research examines how individuals perceive, experience, and negotiate their social and academic worlds, both through the lens of their social identities (e.g., race and gender), and through their individual competence beliefs (e.g., do I have the skills and ability to succeed?).

In one line of research, I test how and under what circumstances Gender-Based Rejection Sensitivity (i.e., the concern and expectation that one may be the target of stigmatization or marginalization because of one's gender; London et al., 2006, 2011) and Race-based Rejection Sensitivity (Mendoza-Denton et al., 2002) undermine the academic success, engagement, coping efficacy, interpersonal interactions, and psychological well-being outcomes of women and racial minority group members. In a second line of research, I examine the impact of social identity compatibility and conflict on the academic and social outcomes of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. And in a third line of research, I investigate the social and cognitive mediatiors of information processing and learning for members of traditionally marginalized groups.

Across the multiple lines of research, I utilize survey, experimental, and longitudinal experience sampling methods to address my questions of interest. The ultimate goal of my work is to understand the academic and social challenges faced by members of traditionally marginalized groups in particular settings, and to develop and apply models of individual and institutional level change that facilitate success and well-being.

Primary Interests:

  • Gender Psychology
  • Intergroup Relations
  • Interpersonal Processes
  • Personality, Individual Differences
  • Prejudice and Stereotyping
  • Self and Identity

Research Group or Laboratory:

Journal Articles:

  • Ahlqvist, S., London, B., & Rosenthal, L. (2013). Unstable identity compatibility how gender rejection sensitivity undermines the success of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. Psychological Science. doi: 10.1177/0956797613476048
  • Cooper Davis, P., Coletu, E., London, B., & Yuan, W. (2011-2012). The effects of experiential courses on students' learning, emotional health, and sense of professional responsibility. New York Law School Law Review, 56(2), 487-515.
  • Downey, G., Mougios, V., Ayduk, O., London, B., & Shoda, Y. (2004). Rejection sensitivity and the defensive motivational system: Insights from the startle response to rejection cue. Psychological Science, 15(10), 668-673.
  • Dweck, C. S., & London, B. (2004). The role of mental representation in social development. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 50(4), 428-444.
  • Hart, D., Burock, D., London, B., Atkins, R., & Bonilla-Santiago, G. (2005). The relation of personality types to physiological, behavioral, and cognitive processes. European Journal of Personality, 19(5), 391-407. DOI: 10.1002/per.547.
  • London, B., Anderson, V., & Downey, G (2007). Studying Institutional Engagement: Utilizing social psychology research methods to study law student engagement. Harvard Journal of Law and Gender, 30 (2), 389-407.
  • London, B., Downey, G., Bonica, C., & Paltin, I. (2007). Social causes and consequences of rejection sensitivity. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 17(3), 481-506.
  • London, B., Downey, G., & Mace, S. (2007). Psychological theories of educational engagement: A multi-method approach to studying individual engagement and institutional change. Vanderbilt Law Review, 60(2), 455-481.
  • London, B., Downey, G., Romero-Canyas, R., Rattan, A., & Tyson, D. (2012). Gender Rejection Sensitivity and academic self-silencing in women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 102 (5), 961-979. DOI: 10.1037/a0026615.
  • London, B., Rosenthal, L., & Gonzalez, A. (2011) Assessing the role of gender rejection sensitivity, identity and support on the academic engagement of women in non-traditional fields using experience sampling methods. Journal of Social Issues, 67 (3), 510-530. DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2011.01712.x.
  • London, B., Rosenthal, L., Levy, S. R., & Lobel, M. (2011). The Influences of Perceived Identity Compatibility and Social Support on Women in Non-traditional Fields during the College Transition. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33(4), 304-321. DOI: 10.1080/01973533.2011.614166.
  • Rosenthal, L., Levy, S., London, B., Lobel, M., & Brazile, C. (2013). In Pursuit of the MD: The Impact of Role Models, Identity Compatibility, and Belonging among Undergraduate Women. Sex Roles. Online First: DOI 10.1007/s11199-012-0257-9.
  • Rosenthal, L., London, B., Levy. S. R., & Lobel, M. (2011). A test of the academic and social engagement model in a single-sex STEM program at a co-educational university. Sex Roles, DOI: 10.1007/s11199-011-9945-0
  • Rosenthal, L., London, B., Levy, S.R., Lobel, M., & Herrera-Alcazar. A. (2011). The relation between the Protestant work ethic and undergraduate women’s perceived identity compatibility in STEM majors. Analysis of Social Issues and Public Policy, 11 (1), 241-262. DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-2415.2011.01264.x.

Other Publications:

  • Downey, G., Chatman, C., London, B., Cross, W., Hughes, D., Moje, E., Way, N., & Eccles, J. (2005). Navigating self and context in a diverse nation: How social identities matter. In G. Downey, J. Eccles, & C. Chatman, (Eds). Navigating the future: Social identity, coping, and life tasks. RSF Press: NY
  • London, B., Anderson, V., & Downey, G. (2011). Status-based rejection sensitivity and the transition to higher education. In S. Weinberg and L. Stulberg (Eds.), Diversity in American Higher Education. Routledge.
  • London, B., Downey, G., Bolger, N., & Velilla, E. (2005). A framework for studying social identity and coping with daily stress during the transition to college. In G. Downey, J. Eccles, & C. Chatman (Eds.), Navigating the future: Social identity, coping, and life tasks. RSF Press.
  • London, B., Downey, G., Bolger, N., & *Velilla, E. (2005). A framework for studying social identity and coping with daily stress during the transition to college. In G. Downey, J. Eccles, & C. Chatman, (Eds). Navigating the future: Social identity, coping, and life tasks. RSF Press: NY
  • London, B., & Rosenthal, L. (2013). The social stigma of identity and status based rejection. The Handbook of Social Exclusion. C. Nathan Dewall (Ed). Oxford University Press.
  • London, B., Thompson, G., Anderson, V., and Velilla, E. (2012). Rejection Sensitivity. In R.J.R. Levesque (Ed). The Encyclopedia of Adolescence, pp. 2329-2334. Springer, US. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-1695-2_231.

Courses Taught:

  • Psychology of Prejudice
  • Psychology of Women
  • Social Psychology
  • Special Topics in Social Psychology: Children at Risk

Bonita London
Department of Psychology
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York 11794-2500
United States of America

  • Phone: (631) 632-6369
  • Fax: (631) 632-7876

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Last edited by user: February 2, 2014
Visits since May 23, 2011: 6,214

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