Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
08:13
Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
Published on: May 10, 2019
Getting acquainted in interracial interactions: avoiding intimacy but approaching race.
Camille S Johnson1, Michael A Olson, Russell H Fazio
1Department of Organizations and Management, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192-0070, USA. Camille.Johnson@sjsu.edu
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|February 21, 2009
Summary
White individuals show reluctance to discuss intimate and race-related topics with Black partners. While unwilling to initiate such conversations, they are more open to answering questions about race when interacting with Black individuals.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Intergroup Relations
- Communication Studies
Background:
- Understanding intergroup interaction quality is crucial.
- Conversation content significantly influences intergroup dynamics.
- Previous research has not fully explored topic-specific willingness to interact across racial lines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate White individuals' willingness to discuss various topics with Black partners.
- To examine willingness to engage in intimate self-disclosure and controversial/race-related topics.
- To explore the role of interaction dynamics (asking vs. answering) in cross-racial conversations.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted to assess willingness to discuss different content types.
- Participants' willingness to initiate or respond to specific topics with White versus Black partners was measured.
- The study differentiated between asking and answering roles in conversations.
Main Results:
- White participants demonstrated an unwillingness to discuss intimate topics with Black partners.
- Reluctance was also observed in discussing race-related and controversial topics with Black partners.
- White individuals were less willing to ask Black partners about race but more willing to answer them.
Conclusions:
- Conversation content and racial dynamics significantly impact intergroup interaction quality.
- Stereotype threat or discomfort may underlie White individuals' reluctance in cross-racial discussions.
- Interaction roles (asking/answering) mediate willingness to discuss sensitive topics, suggesting a need for further research into conversational strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:55Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Humans are very diverse and although we share many similarities, we also have many differences. The social groups we belong to help form our identities (Tajfel, 1974). These differences may be difficult for some people to reconcile, which may lead to prejudice toward people who are different. Prejudice is a negative attitude and feeling toward an individual based solely on one’s membership in a particular social group (Allport, 1954; Brown, 2010). Prejudice is common against people who are...
01:25Understanding Interpersonal Attraction
Interpersonal attraction is a fundamental psychological phenomenon influencing human relationships across various contexts. It refers to one person's positive feelings or interests toward another, serving as the foundation for friendships, romantic partnerships, familial bonds, and professional relationships. The nature of interpersonal attraction extends beyond romantic connections, shaping interactions in both short-term and long-term social engagements.Psychological Foundations of...
02:16Surveys
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:20Frustration and Conflict: Approach-Approach, Approach-Avoidance
Frustration occurs when people are obstructed or prevented from achieving a desired goal or fulfilling a perceived need. For example, when someone's input is ignored in a discussion, it can lead to feelings of frustration. Conflict, however, arises from opposing interests, goals, or actions. Conflicts can take various forms based on the nature of these opposing desires or goals.
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable options,...
One common type of conflict is the Approach–Approach Conflict. In this case, a person faces two desirable options,...
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the anxiety of...