Ph.D., Texas A&M

D’Lane R. Compton is a full professor of sociology at the University of New Orleans, specializing in social psychology and demography. While these fields may seem unrelated, Compton’s research utilizes both perspectives to examine interpersonal relationships, family organization, and research methodologies. Their work deepens our knowledge about how categorization or labeling processes yield different outcomes in treatment and resources.

Compton’s research has found categorization and labeling processes have profound implications for the allocation of treatment and resources across social contexts. By examining the intersections of individual characteristics, social networks, legal structures, and broader societal factors, their work reveals how expectations and behaviors are shaped—offering critical insights with direct implications for policy development. Additionally, Compton is interested in research design and methodological issues, particularly how variations in measurement can lead to different inferences.

Currently, Compton teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in social psychology, gender and sexualities, research methods, and social statistics. Before joining the University of New Orleans, they taught at Texas A&M University and Davidson College.

Gender and Sexualities, Social Psychology, Research Methods, Family