Angela Bell, PhD

she/her, Assistant Professor

About

My research is focused on social and cognitive biases that impact intergroup relations and members of stigmatized groups. I am particularly interested in answering questions such as: (1) Why do people fail to recognize their own racism but seem capable of identifying racism in others? (2) Which social and cognitive factors influence attributions and judgments of prejudice? (3) How do stereotypes and stigma shape one’s health and well-being? 

Currently, my research program primarily investigates how people make judgments about themselves and others. Specifically, I examine how social comparison biases (e.g., the better-than-average effect) and the self-enhancement motive (i.e., the need to view oneself positively) might inform people’s racism denials, one’s ability to detect and reduce prejudice in oneself, and support for anti-racist actions.

I am also a co-founder and principal Investigator for Flourish: A network for pre-tenure faculty of color in personality/social psychology, funded by the National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences division.

If you're an undergraduate WWU student interested in getting involved in related research topics, apply to the Bias lab!

If you're interested in a position as a graduate student, please review the Experimental Graduate Psych Program resources and email me directly.

Research Interests

  • Anti-Black Racism
  • Stereotyping, Prejudice, and Discrimination
  • Social Cognition
  • Self & Identity

Current Courses

Psy 240: Social Psychology (Fall 2025)

Psy 305: Scientific Writing and Thinking (Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026)

Psy 341: Psychology and Culture (Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Summer 2025, Winter 2026)

Psy 441: Seminar in Cross-Cultural Psychology (Winter 2023, Spring 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026)