Psychosocial characteristics of subtle and blatant racists as compared to tolerant individuals

Abstract

Studies in psychology have demonstrated that tolerant individuals demonstrate good psychological health and prejudiced individuals demonstrate poor psychosocial functioning. Past investigations have shown disturbances in interpersonal relationships for prejudiced individuals in childhood. Blatant racists aggressively assert that members of minority groups are inferior. Subtle racists blame social inequities on minority group cultures and customs. A questionnaire to distinguish tolerant individuals from blatant and subtle racists was employed. Tolerant individuals were shown to be psychologically healthier than both blatant and subtle racists. Both blatant and subtle racists show maladaptive patterns in psychosocial functioning. Both blatant and subtle racists report predicted disturbances in parental relationships, as well as insecure and hostile ties with peers.

Relative Deprivation and Intergroup Prejudice

“…The Eurobarometer measures GRD by asking: “Would you say that over the last 5 years people like yourself in Britain have been economically a lot better off, better off, the same, worse off, or a lot worse off than most West Indians living here?” The survey taps IRD with the item: “Would you say that over the last 5 years you have been economically a lot better off, better off, the same, worse off, or a lot worse off than other British people like yourself?” Two scales of 10 items each in the Eurobarometer study assess blatant and subtle forms of prejudice (Pettigrew & Meertens, 1995). Researchers have successfully employed these scales in a great variety of nations and intergroup situations (Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States) (Arcuri & Boca, 1996; Hamberger & Hewstone, 1997; Hightower, 1997; Pedersen & Walker, 1997; Pettigrew, 1997; Pettigrew et al, 1998; Rattazzi & Volpato, 2001, 2003; Rueda & Navas, 1996; Six & Wolfradt, 2000; Vala, Brito, & Lopes, 1999; Volpato & Rattazzi, 2000; Wagner & Zick, 1995; Zick, Wagner, van Dick, & Petzel, 2001).…”

Ethnic Prejudice and Discrimination in Europe

“…Researchers have successfully employed these two scales and their adaptations in a great variety of European nations and intergroup situations––including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United States (Arcuri & Boca, 1999; Hamberger & Hewstone, 1997; Hightower, 1997; Pedersen & Walker, 1997; Pettigrew, 1997; Pettigrew et al, 1998; Rattazzi & Volpato, 2001; Rise, Haugen, Klinger, & Bierbrauer, 2000; Rueda & Navas, 1996; Six & Wolfradt, 2000; Vala, Brito, & Lopes, 1999; Villano, 1999; Volpato & Rattazzi, 2000; Wagner & Zick, 1995; Zick et al, 2001). Several articles in this issue use these blatant and subtle prejudice scales.…”

Relativism or tolerance? Defining, assessing, connecting, and distinguishing two moral personality features with prominent roles in modern societies

“…For example, research reveals a positive relationship between political tolerance, Openness to Experience, trust, and self‐esteem (van Doorn, ). In addition, research suggests that racially tolerant people are more adaptable to change, intellectual, conscientious, ambitious, psychologically minded and psychologically healthy than people who are racially intolerant (Hightower, ).…”