The social construction of race: Biracial identity and vulnerability to stereotypes.
- 1 April 2007
- journal article
- Published by American Psychological Association (APA) in Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
- Vol. 13 (2), 125-133
- https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.13.2.125
Abstract
Multiracial individuals are more likely to have a heightened awareness of race as a social construct than monoracial individuals. This article examines the impact that a heightened awareness of race as a social construct has on the relationship between racial stereotypes and performance. Study 1 finds that multiracial individuals reported subscribing less to the notion that race biologically determines ability. Study 2 finds that monoracial individuals show stereotype activation, whereas multiracial individuals show stereotype inhibition in reaction to race salience. Study 3 draws on the work on stereotypes and performance to test the susceptibility of multiracial individuals to racial stereotypes about ability. The authors find that Asian/White and Black/White multiracial individuals were less susceptible to racial stereotypes than monoracial individuals. Whereas monoracial participants showed significant performance changes in reaction to race salience, multiracial individuals did not. Study 4 finds that emphasizing the social construction of race buffers individuals from stereotype threat effects.Keywords
Funding Information
- John Templeton Foundation
- Ford Foundation