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Experiencing discrimination increases risk taking
Jeremy P Jamieson1, Katrina Koslov, Matthew K Nock
1Department of Psychology, University of Rochester, USA.
Psychological Science
|December 22, 2012
Summary
Experiencing discrimination triggers distinct physiological stress responses and increases risk-taking behaviors. These effects suggest pathways contributing to health disparities among racial groups.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Psychoneuroimmunology
Background:
- Racial disparities in health outcomes and behaviors like smoking and drug abuse are well-documented.
- Discrimination is a proposed contributor to these disparities, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how perceived discrimination influences acute physiological stress responses.
- To examine the relationship between discrimination and increased risk-taking behavior.
Main Methods:
- Participants (Black and White) received feedback from same-race or different-race partners.
- Assessed physiological responses (cardiovascular, neuroendocrine), cognition (memory, attentional bias), affect, and risk-taking behavior.
Main Results:
- Cross-race rejection (perceived discrimination) led to lower cortisol, increased cardiac output, and decreased vascular resistance compared to same-race rejection.
- Participants experiencing cross-race rejection reported greater anger, increased attentional bias, and engaged in more risk-taking behavior.
- Significant interactions between participant race and partner race were observed, indicating differential effects.
Conclusions:
- Perceived discrimination is linked to specific patterns of physiological reactivity, emotional state, cognitive processing, and risk-taking.
- These findings highlight potential direct and indirect pathways through which discrimination contributes to health disparities.
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