Getting acquainted in interracial interactions: avoiding intimacy but approaching race.
It is important to understand the content dimensions that influence the quality of intergroup interactions. The present research organized potential conversation content according to theoretically relevant underlying dimensions and investigated Whites' willingness to discuss topics of varying content with a Black partner. Specifically, it investigated Whites' willingness to engage in intimate self-disclosure and their willingness to discuss controversial and race-related topics with White versus Black interaction partners. Results across two experiments indicated an unwillingness among Whites to discuss both intimate and race-related topics with a Black partner. In addition, this research examined the role played by participants in the interaction (i.e., asking vs. answering) and found that although Whites were unwilling to ask Black relative to White partners about race-related topics, they were more willing to answer Black relative to White partners about such topics.
Johnson
Camille S
CS
Department of Organizations and Management, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192-0070, USA. Camille.Johnson@sjsu.edu
Olson
Michael A
MA
Fazio
Russell H
RH
D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011822:Race Relations; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012919:Social Behavior; D012933:Social Identification; D013240:Stereotyping; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology*