Info
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Faculty Suite B, Room 331
Melanie Maimon
I completed my B.S. in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where I first got involved in research in a social psychology lab. I earned my M.S. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Rutgers University-New Brunswick. I lead the Belonging, Identity, and Stigma Lab here at Bryant. My research broadly focuses social identities, stigma, discrimination, and belonging.
Degrees Awarded
Ph D, Rutgers University New Brunswick
MS, Rutgers University New Brunswick
BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ph D, Rutgers University New Brunswick
MS, Rutgers University New Brunswick
BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Selected Publications
Foy, E., Wetzel, G. M., Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Bisexual+ identity denial from the queer community: Implications for LGBTQ+ connectedness and community engagement, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
Maimon, M. R., King, H., Positive stereotypes can signal identity threat, .
Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Social judgment reluctance: Individual differences in impression formation motivations and behaviors. , .
Mills, H., Maimon, M., Disclosing rehabilitation experience improves trait perceptions and reduces hiring barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy.
Niemeyer, M., Maimon, M., Raycroft, J., Institutional Responses to Bias: Implications for Identity Safety in University Contexts, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Philip, J., Maimon, M., Racial socialization, vigilance, and health among racial and ethnic minority emerging adults, Group Processes and Intergroup Relations.
Philip, J., Maimon, M., The Role of Target Identity and Personality in Shaping Perceptions of Prejudice, The Journal of Social Psychology.
Eddy, Z., Maimon, M., Sanchez, D. T., How Do Parents of Multiracial Children Describe Multiracial Socialization?, Race and Social Problems, 2026.
Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Rodriguez, S., Albuja, A. F., Personality traits as identity threat cues: Stigmatized perceivers infer prejudice from disagreeableness, Journal of Personality, 2024.
Howansky, K., Maimon, M., Fostering inclusivity in higher education through identity safety cues: A practical guide, Routledge, 2023.
Howansky, K., Maimon, M., Sanchez, D., Identity Safety Cues Predict Instructor Impressions, Belonging, and Absences in the Psychology Classroom, Teaching of Psychology, 2022.
Foy, E., Wetzel, G. M., Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Bisexual+ identity denial from the queer community: Implications for LGBTQ+ connectedness and community engagement, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
Maimon, M. R., King, H., Positive stereotypes can signal identity threat, .
Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Social judgment reluctance: Individual differences in impression formation motivations and behaviors. , .
Mills, H., Maimon, M., Disclosing rehabilitation experience improves trait perceptions and reduces hiring barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals, Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy.
Niemeyer, M., Maimon, M., Raycroft, J., Institutional Responses to Bias: Implications for Identity Safety in University Contexts, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.
Philip, J., Maimon, M., Racial socialization, vigilance, and health among racial and ethnic minority emerging adults, Group Processes and Intergroup Relations.
Philip, J., Maimon, M., The Role of Target Identity and Personality in Shaping Perceptions of Prejudice, The Journal of Social Psychology.
Eddy, Z., Maimon, M., Sanchez, D. T., How Do Parents of Multiracial Children Describe Multiracial Socialization?, Race and Social Problems, 2026.
Maimon, M. R., Sanchez, D. T., Rodriguez, S., Albuja, A. F., Personality traits as identity threat cues: Stigmatized perceivers infer prejudice from disagreeableness, Journal of Personality, 2024.
Howansky, K., Maimon, M., Fostering inclusivity in higher education through identity safety cues: A practical guide, Routledge, 2023.
Howansky, K., Maimon, M., Sanchez, D., Identity Safety Cues Predict Instructor Impressions, Belonging, and Absences in the Psychology Classroom, Teaching of Psychology, 2022.
Awards and Honors
Honors Faculty Mentorship Award, 2026
Merit Award, 2025
Undergraduate Research Grant (faculty supervisor), 2024
Teacher Scholar Conference Award, 2024
Honors Faculty Mentorship Award, 2026
Merit Award, 2025
Undergraduate Research Grant (faculty supervisor), 2024
Teacher Scholar Conference Award, 2024
Teaching Interests
Social Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Introduction to Psychology
Social Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Introduction to Psychology
Research Interests
It can be challenging to navigate the complexities of our social world. For people with stigmatized or minoritized identities - identities that are devalued and treated as "lesser" in society - many aspects of our social world are inherently exclusionary and at times hostile. My research broadly centers on identity, stigma, discrimination, and belonging. Through two main lines of work, I aim to improve our understanding of factors that encourage or prevent the participation of people with stigmatized identities in all areas of society. My research focuses on 1) identity cues and fostering belonging and inclusion, and 2) the experiences and consequences of stigmatization. My research seeks to improve our understanding of stigmatization and its consequences, and to identify ways to foster identity safety for stigmatized groups.
It can be challenging to navigate the complexities of our social world. For people with stigmatized or minoritized identities - identities that are devalued and treated as "lesser" in society - many aspects of our social world are inherently exclusionary and at times hostile. My research broadly centers on identity, stigma, discrimination, and belonging. Through two main lines of work, I aim to improve our understanding of factors that encourage or prevent the participation of people with stigmatized identities in all areas of society. My research focuses on 1) identity cues and fostering belonging and inclusion, and 2) the experiences and consequences of stigmatization. My research seeks to improve our understanding of stigmatization and its consequences, and to identify ways to foster identity safety for stigmatized groups.
Professional Memberships
Here and Queer
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
Association for Psychological Science
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
American Psychological Association
Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
The Society for Personality and Social Psychology
Here and Queer
Society for the Teaching of Psychology
Association for Psychological Science
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
American Psychological Association
Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology
The Society for Personality and Social Psychology