Salient intergroup ideology and intergroup interaction.
Two experiments examined how rendering different intergroup ideologies salient affects dominant- and minority-group members' behavior during, and experience of, intergroup interactions. We hypothesized that ideologies that encourage an outward focus on appreciating out-group members' distinctive qualities (multiculturalism) would have more positive implications than ideologies that encourage a self-control focus on ignoring social categories and avoiding inappropriate behavior (color blindness and antiracism). As predicted, in both ostensible (Study 1) and actual face-to-face (Study 2) intergroup interactions, the multicultural ideological prompt led dominant- and minority-group members to adopt a more outward focus and hence to direct more positive other-directed comments to an interaction partner who was a member of an out-group. In contrast, the color-blind prompt fostered a prevention orientation in dominant-group members that led them to express negative affect toward their out-group interaction partner. The antiracist prompt had no consistent effects. Implications for efforts to improve intergroup relations are discussed.
Vorauer
Jacquie D
JD
Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2. vorauer@cc.umanitoba.ca
Gagnon
Annette
A
Sasaki
Stacey J
SJ
D002170:Canada / Q000208:ethnology; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011287:Prejudice; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data