PhD Candidate. Rice University.
I am a PhD candidate in the Political Science Department at Rice University. My training is in the field of American politics with a focus on political attitudes, racial and ethnic politics, and political psychology.
My dissertation investigates how citizens form perceptions of candidate pandering. I evaluate how qualities of the candidate and the candidate's appeal affect how citizens determine whether the candidate is being sincere or pandering. For example, in one chapter I examine how Hispanics evaluate candidates that speak Spanish. I expose a group of Hispanics to a hypothetical candidate speaking Spanish and vary the language of the appeal (English or Spanish), the quality of the Spanish (English accented Spanish or fluent Spanish), and the ethnicity of the candidate (non-Hispanic White or Hispanic). The results indicate that White candidates speaking English and candidates speaking English accented Spanish are perceived as pandering and candidates that speak fluent Spanish, including the White candidate, are seen as very sincere.
My other research investigates how external cues, such as threat or political communication, affect the way that people engage with their political environment. In one line of research I explore how Hispanic and White voters evaluate politicians that use Spanish language appeals. My second line of research examines the effect of anxiety on political participation. In particular, I look at whether political trust acts as a moderator for anxiety and political participation. Ultimately, I hope to understand what forces help drive inclusion in the political process as well as steps that can be taken to encourage greater participation.
In my free time you can find me watching a San Antonio Spurs game. Otherwise I love the outdoors and especially backpacking.
My dissertation investigates how citizens form perceptions of candidate pandering. I evaluate how qualities of the candidate and the candidate's appeal affect how citizens determine whether the candidate is being sincere or pandering. For example, in one chapter I examine how Hispanics evaluate candidates that speak Spanish. I expose a group of Hispanics to a hypothetical candidate speaking Spanish and vary the language of the appeal (English or Spanish), the quality of the Spanish (English accented Spanish or fluent Spanish), and the ethnicity of the candidate (non-Hispanic White or Hispanic). The results indicate that White candidates speaking English and candidates speaking English accented Spanish are perceived as pandering and candidates that speak fluent Spanish, including the White candidate, are seen as very sincere.
My other research investigates how external cues, such as threat or political communication, affect the way that people engage with their political environment. In one line of research I explore how Hispanic and White voters evaluate politicians that use Spanish language appeals. My second line of research examines the effect of anxiety on political participation. In particular, I look at whether political trust acts as a moderator for anxiety and political participation. Ultimately, I hope to understand what forces help drive inclusion in the political process as well as steps that can be taken to encourage greater participation.
In my free time you can find me watching a San Antonio Spurs game. Otherwise I love the outdoors and especially backpacking.