Compensatory Stereotyping in Interracial Encounters

The judgment dimensions of competency and warmth capture much of the space into which our perceptions of individuals and groups fall. Though these dimensions are orthogonal to each other, they may also be inversely related, as perceivers may compensate for low ratings on one with high ratings on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Group processes & intergroup relations 2009-09, Vol.12 (5), p.551-563
Main Authors: Biernat, Monica, Sesko, Amanda K., Amo, Rachel B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavior
Black people
Black White Relations
Competence
Cultures and civilizations
Ethnic relations. Racism
Interpersonal relations
Interpersonal relationships. Groups. Leadership
Interracial relationships
Perceptions
Prejudice
Racial differences
Racial prejudice
Social psychology
Society
Sociology
Stereotypes
Studies
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Summary:The judgment dimensions of competency and warmth capture much of the space into which our perceptions of individuals and groups fall. Though these dimensions are orthogonal to each other, they may also be inversely related, as perceivers may compensate for low ratings on one with high ratings on the other (Judd, James-Hawkins, Yzerbyt, & Kashima, 2005). We predicted that Whites would perceive Black targets as warmer but less competent relative to a White target, and that their behavior would be in accord with these perceptions. In two studies, behavioral indicators of warmth and competence (as well as explicit judgments) were assessed among White participants who anticipated interacting with a Black or White partner. Black targets were judged and received treatment consistent with low competency but high warmth perceptions. In Study 1, these indicators were negatively correlated only when the target was Black, and particularly among those high in prejudice. The data are discussed in terms of the functions of compensatory stereotyping and importance of considering multiple indicators of judgment and behavior in anticipated or actual interracial interactions.
ISSN:1368-4302
1461-7188
DOI:10.1177/1368430209337469