Intersectionality and Identity: A Systematic Review and Qualitative Analysis of U.S. Research in Psychological Science

Psychological science has historically centered white, cisgender male experiences. Using predominantly quantitative, comparative methods and designs, this limited slice of humanity has been deemed normative and universal. The study of identity is one area in which diversity and minoritized experiences have increasingly been examined. Yet, this work remains largely single axis, focusing solely on race or gender, for instance. Intersectionality grounds identity in context, challenging single-axis approaches and problematizing inequitable research norms. In this systematic literature review, we examined the state of intersectional identity research in U.S. psychological science. We analyzed empirical studies published between 2005 and 2022 (N = 555) for how (methods/design) this research is conducted, what identities are examined (social categories/positionalities), and who (sample diversity) is studied. We found that 82% of studies used qualitative methods; race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality were the most frequently studied identities, both in intersection with each other and with dozens of additional social categories; and adults, women, and racial/ethnic and sexual minorities were the most commonly represented populations. This review suggests that intersectional identity research centers individuals whose experiences have long been marginalized in psychology. We discuss how intersectionality offers a path toward more diverse and justice-oriented research in psychological science.