Christina Amari

Abstract:

The present research examined people’s perceptions of consequences for racial discrimination. We investigated racial bias malleability and perpetrator’s intent to discriminate as two potentially important factors in influencing people’s perceptions of appropriate consequences for racial discrimination. The results supported our predictions in that those who believed the perpetrator acted intentionally wanted to punish the perpetrator and help the victim, whereas participants who believed that the perpetrator could change their racial bias wanted to give the perpetrator another opportunity to improve himself and attend an anti-bias training. This research is the first attempt to investigate the psychological underpinnings of how people determine the consequences for everyday instances of discrimination.