PHD Social Psychology Gender Stereotypes Brazil

I was born in Brazil but raised mostly in Boston from the age of eight. I graduated from the University of ____ with a Degree in Psychology and a minor in Chemistry in the Fall of 2016. This year, 2020, I completed my MS Degree in Psychology from ____ State University.

I now want very much to study towards a PHD Degree in Social Psychology at the University of ____ since I am especially interested in doing research in the areas of persuasion, gender, and stereotypical threats and prejudice.

I am keenly looking forward to a rigorous immersion in the study of the broad gambit of social influence theory and group behavior as well as research methodologies. I am especially looking forward to having Drs. ____ and ____ as faculty mentors. 10 years from now I would like to be a university professor myself who is especially adept at publication. In addition to English and Portuguese, I am also proficient in Italian and have basic skills in French. I hope to take advantage of my language skills in my research endeavors.

I am making the conscious decision to cut back my professional workload to a minimum, which will allow me to dedicate my full attention and energy to my studies. This shift in focus is not just a personal choice but a strategic move to ensure that I can immerse myself completely in the academic pursuits that are so important to my future. My volunteer experiences have profoundly impacted my perspective on community engagement, increasingly enhancing the deep sense of gratification that I feel helping others. This has ignited a passion within me to strive to make a positive impact on society. I am convinced that contributing to the well-being of others is an especially rewarding endeavor which I intend to pursue throughout my lifetime.

I am driven by an insatiable eagerness for knowledge and understanding. My academic journey has equipped me with a remarkable ability to comprehend complex experimental designs and to identify areas for improvement. I pride myself on being a sensitive individual, particularly skilled at recognizing confounding variables and design flaws that can compromise the integrity of research studies. This sensitivity not only enhances my analytical skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the nuances of scientific inquiry.

Throughout my academic career, I have engaged in extensive work related to the design and management of experiments that explore the concept of stereotypical threats, particularly in relation to gender dynamics. This research has allowed me to delve into the intricate ways that societal perceptions can influence behavior and performance. I have conducted experiments centered around classical conditioning, utilizing various reinforcement schedules such as Fixed Ratio (FR), Fixed Interval (FI), Variable Ratio (VR), and Variable Interval (VI), as well as examining the processes of extinction with proxy subjects, specifically pigeons.

I seek lifetime full immersion in the mechanics of learning and behavior modification. My experience extends to conducting conditioning experiments that involve the strategic pairing of an unconditioned stimulus with a conditioned stimulus. This has broadened my understanding of behavioral psychology and strengthened my desire to further explore the underlying mechanisms that govern human behavior. I am genuinely excited about the prospect of continuing my research and education in this field, as each new discovery contributes to a greater comprehension of the complexities of human actions and interactions. I am committed to enhancing my understanding and contributing to the body of knowledge that seeks to explain the intricacies of human behavior in all its forms.

As a member of a family that has been blessed with economic resources, I am extremely sensitive to the difficult realities of members of the working social classes for whom life is very much an economic struggle. I always consider one's economic background as a factor that influences their mental health. In Brazil, for example, I was long struck by the fact that, due to their low incomes, police officers are forced to live in the slums with the drug dealers and other criminals. They must hide their identity to preserve their lives. They can't even leave their houses with their uniforms on. And this is just one of the social questions that I look forward to investigating as a social psychologist with a special interest in Brazil.

PHD Social Psychology Gender Stereotypes Brazil