Jessica Johnson

Jessica Johnson

JD, Law, College of William and Mary, School of Law, 2007
University of New Hampshire
McNair Scholar, 2003
Major: Sociology
Mentor:?Dr. Cesar Rebellon, Department of Sociology
Research Topic:?Identity Development in Biracial Individuals

Identity Development in Biracial Individuals
In America today the rates of interracial marriages have grown which has resulted in a large population of biracial individuals. Many factors contribute to ones individual identity development and this research will focus on how biracial youth develop their racial and overall self identity. This study will use personal interviews, formal questionnaires and will also combine previous research and existing literature. The measurements of identity will come from questions about how the individuals see themselves racially, which of either race they identify with and why, and other open ended questions. The goal of this research is to see if there is a common link between biracial individuals and the development of their racial and self identity. The questions will take into account the many different factors that could possibly influence these individuals, including family status, education and environment.