Self-Regulatory Processes in Interracial Interactions: The Role of Internal and External Motivation to Respond without Prejudice

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511735066.016

14 - Self-Regulatory Processes in Interracial Interactions: The Role of Internal and External Motivation to Respond without Prejudice

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 August 2010

Patricia G. Devine ,

Amanda B. Brodish and

Stephanie L. Vance

Edited by

Joseph P. Forgas ,

Kipling D. Williams and

Simon M. Laham

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Patricia G. Devine: Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Amanda B. Brodish: Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Stephanie L. Vance: Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Joseph P. Forgas: Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Sydney
Kipling D. Williams: Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Sydney
Simon M. Laham: Affiliation:
University of New South Wales, Sydney

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, students of intergroup relations have shown increased interest in exploring and understanding the challenges involved in intergroup interactions. Several researchers have noted, for example, the importance of considering the types of interpersonal concerns people bring to intergroup interactions that may affect their expectations, perceptions, feelings, and behavior in such settings (Devine, Evett, & Vasquez, 1996; Plant & Devine, 2003a, 2003b; Shelton, 2003; Vorauer & Kumhyr, 2001; Vorauer, Main, & O'Connell, 1998). For majority group members, most often these concerns are framed in terms of the possibility of appearing prejudiced in such interactions and the potential to be evaluated negatively should one be viewed as prejudiced. Against a backdrop of contemporary social norms discouraging overt expressions of prejudice, sensitivity to the possibility of appearing prejudiced in intergroup interactions is likely to be heightened.

Indeed, recent research suggests that majority group members expect to viewed as prejudiced by outgroup members and that this expectation is easily activated in situations in which the potential for evaluation by an outgroup member is likely (Vorauer, Hunter, Main, & Roy, 2000; Vorauer & Kumhyr, 2001; Vorauer et al., 1998). Vorauer and colleagues speculated that these expectations may play a role in the unfolding dynamics of intergroup interactions, affecting, for example, people's strategies for interaction and how people feel about intergroup interactions.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Social Motivation
Conscious and Unconscious Processes
, pp. 249 - 273

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511735066.016 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2004

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