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Perspective and prejudice: antecedents and mediating mechanisms
John F Dovidio1, Marleen ten Vergert, Tracie L Stewart
1Colgate University, USA. john.dovidio@uconn.edu
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|November 13, 2004
Summary
Reducing White prejudice toward Black individuals is possible by fostering empathy and highlighting perceived injustice. Creating a common ingroup identity further enhances these prejudice-reduction effects.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Intergroup Relations
- Prejudice Reduction
Background:
- Prejudice against minority groups remains a significant societal issue.
- Understanding mechanisms for prejudice reduction is crucial for intergroup harmony.
- Interventions targeting cognitive and affective pathways can influence attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate methods for reducing White prejudice toward Black individuals.
- To explore the role of common ingroup identity in prejudice reduction.
- To identify mediating psychological processes in prejudice reduction.
Main Methods:
- Study 1: White participants viewed discrimination scenarios and were instructed to empathize with victims.
- Study 2: Intervention to foster common ingroup identity (e.g., "all Americans" vs. "White Americans") before viewing discrimination.
- Prejudice levels and mediating variables (perceived injustice, empathy) were measured.
Main Results:
- Empathizing with discrimination victims significantly reduced White participants' prejudice toward Black individuals.
- Reductions in prejudice were primarily mediated by increased feelings of perceived injustice.
- Creating a common ingroup identity further reduced prejudice, also through increased perceptions of injustice.
Conclusions:
- Empathy and perceived injustice are key mechanisms for reducing intergroup prejudice.
- Interventions promoting a common ingroup identity can effectively decrease prejudice.
- These findings offer practical strategies for improving intergroup relations.