2011 TC Research
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College Columbia University

Research

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Caryn J. Block

Professional Background

Educational Background

  • Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, New York University
  • M.A., Psychology, New York University
  • B.S., Psychology, University of Illinois - Urbana

Scholarly Interests

  • The long term effects of stereotype threat in the workplace
  • The influence of race and gender stereotypes on perceptions of leaders
  • Consequences of using both descriptive and prescriptive racial stereotypes in evaluations of leaders

Selected Publications

Block, C.J., Aumann, K. & Chelin, A. (in press).  Assessing stereotypes of Black and
White managers: A diagnostic ratio approach.  Journal of Applied Social Psychology.

Buontempo, G., Matthews, C.T., & Block, C.J. (in press).  Sex and gender role identification as predictors of relational and
 independent approaches to work.  
Journal of Applied Social Psychology.

Liberman, B.E., Block, C.J., & Koch, S.M. (2011) Diversity trainer preconceptions: The
Effects of trainer race and gender on perceptions of diversity trainer effectiveness.  Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33, 279-293.

Block, C.J., Koch, S.M., Liberman, B.E., Merriweather, T.J., & Roberson, L. (2011). 
Contending with stereotype threat at work:  A model of long-term responses.  The Counseling Psychologist, 39(4), 570-600.

Parlamis, J., Allred, K., & Block, C.J.  (2010).  Letting off steam or just steaming?  The
influence of target and status on attributions and anger.  International Journal of Conflict Management, 21, 260-280.

Pfirman, S., Block, C., Bell, R. Roberson, L. & Culligan, P. (2010).  Perspective:
Transitioning from pet to peer.  Science Career Magazine, January 29, 2010.

biographical information

Professor Block received her Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from New York University in 1991 and joined the faculty at Columbia University in 1991. She was the program coordinator for the Masters and Doctoral programs in Social-Organizational Psychology from 1995-2001. She is currently the Doctoral program coordinator. Professor Block is also a core faculty member of the Columbia Business School Executive Education Leadership Programs. Professor Block's research focuses on race and gender issues in organizations. Her publications include work on the influence of racial identity in organizational contexts, perceptions of affirmative action programs, and the influence of gender and race based stereotypes on perceptions of managers. Her research also focuses on organizational learning, and the type of climates that are most likely to foster learning organizations. She had consulted with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health on a research project to examine the effects of perceived discrimination in the workplace on psychological adjustment at work. Professor Block serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Organizational and Occupational Psycholoy, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Journal of Vocational Behavior, Academy of Management Review, and Sex Roles. She is a member of the Academy of Management, American Psychological Society, and American Psychological Association (Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology), and is a frequent presenter at their annual conferences.

Caryn Block's Workgroup

This workgroup is currently exploring issues related to race and gender discrimination, and the implications of this type of discrimination on motivation, performance, and organizational attainments. The following are some issues we are currently exploring:

  1. We are investigating the content of racial stereotypes about black and white managers and whether success information modifies the content of these stereotypes.
  2. We are also examining the differential reactions to men and women who choose to participate in a work or a family activity when under simultaneous role demands.
  3. We are examining the impact of racial stereotypes of Asian Americans on the types of jobs that they might be seen as qualified for.
  4. We are investigating the influence of race and gender on perceptions of competence of diversity trainers.
  5. We have recently examined the impact of stereotype threat on whites. Stereotype threat has traditionally been examined looking at minority groups. We examined whether the performance of whites is also susceptible to stereotype threat. Specifically, we investigated whether making salient a stereotype about whites (of being racist) will influence the performance of whites in an interview setting with a person of color.

Representatives:

Ben Lieberman (bel2104@columbia.edu)
Sandy Uyekubo (smu2101@columbia.edu)
Tarani Merriweather(tjm2121@columbia.edu)

ORLJ 4005: Organizational psychology

Introduction to theories and research that underlie the field of organizational psy-chology. Implications and applications in various organizational contexts are considered.

ORLJ 4901: Research and independent study in social-organizational psychology

ORLJ 5040: Research methods in social psychology

Open only to qualified doctoral students in the behavioral or social sciences. Representative approaches to practice in the design, conduct, and analysis of research. Fall: Experimental and quasi-experimental design. Spring: Field and survey methods; policy and evaluation research.

ORLJ 6347: Research workgroup in social-organizational psychology: Motivational issues in organizations

Permission required. Limited to doctoral students. Topics are announced in the preliminary and final course schedules distributed each semester.

ORLJ 6901: Advanced research and independent study in social-organizational psychology

ORLJ 8900: Dissertation advisement in social-organizational psychology

Fee to equal 3 points at current tuition rate for each term. For requirements, see section on Continuous Registration for Ed.D./Ph.D. degrees.

Documents & Papers

Download: Caryn Block [Word]

Caryn J. Block appeared in the following articles:

Business, But Not as Usual (2/9/2009)