Confronting prejudice (literally) : reactions to confrontations of racial and gender bias
Czopp, A.M.; Monteith, M.J.
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 29(4): 532-544
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0146-1672
PMID: 15273006
DOI: 10.1177/0146167202250923
Accession: 048626328
Participants in two studies reported how they would feel, think, and behave after being confronted about either gender-biased or equivalent racial-biased responses. In Study 2, whether the confrontation was from a target group member (Black or female) or nontarget (White or male) group member was manipulated. Regardless of confronter status, allegations of racial bias elicited more guilt and apologetic-corrective responses and greater concern over having offended the confronter than similar confrontations of gender bias, which elicited more amusement. Target confrontations elicited less guilt but greater discomfort than nontarget confrontations and were associated with feelings of irritation and antagonism among more prejudiced participants. In addition, participants perceived a target's confrontation as more of an overreaction than the same confrontation from a nontarget. The implications of these findings for prejudice-reduction efforts are discussed.