Perceived intentionality of societal discrimination as a moderator of preference for and effectiveness of approaches to difference

Abstract

The present research identifies a novel measure of perceived intentionality of societal discrimination and demonstrates its value in predicting individuals' preference for and the effectiveness of different approaches to improving intergroup relations. Study 1 creates and validates a measure of perceived intentionality of societal discrimination, the extent to which an individual believes discrimination in society as a whole is generally caused by intentional actions. Individuals' responses on this measure are associated with their preferences for an approach to intergroup relations that advocates looking beyond differences, rather than recognizing differences. Studies 2 and 3 use experimental designs to investigate perceived intentionality of societal bias as a moderator of the effect of these approaches on attitudes toward interracial interactions and on comfort with conversations about race. Across the studies, the greater the extent to which participants perceive discrimination in society to be intentional, the more an approach advocating looking beyond differences is preferred and effective.