Perceptions of Confronters of Racist Remarks Towards Interracial Couples: The Effects of Confronter Race, Assertiveness, Explicit Bias, and Participant Race

Abstract

Previous research demonstrates that confronting prejudicial comments reduces bias towards minority groups and that perceptions of those who confront prejudicial comments differ as a function of factors such as confronter race. The current study extends on previous research examining how participants’ race, confronters’ race, assertiveness, and racial bias affect the perceptions of individuals who confront prejudice towards interracial couples on Twitter. Black and White participants throughout the United States (N=154) viewed a Twitter post from a Black-White interracial couple followed by a racist comment and a confronting comment varying by confronter race and assertiveness. Results indicated that confronters were perceived more positively when using a low assertive than a high assertive approach and were rated more negatively by Black compared to White participants. Additionally, those with more explicit biases towards the outgroup perceived the confronter more negatively. This work can inform interventions focused on increased confronting and highlights the importance of allyship.