Title of Research Project
The Application of Biracial and Monoracial Asian American Stereotypes
Major
Psychology
Research Abstract
Previous research suggests that the biracial stereotype (across all biracial groups) consists of the following characteristics: biracial people are unusually good looking and they struggle to fit in (Skinner, Perry, & Gaither, 2019). This general biracial struggle to fit in has been also described as “confused over their identity” and has been attributed as the reason for why they are judged as less trustworthy, less socially accepted (Chelsey & Wagner, 2013), loyal to their group (Albuja, Sanchez, Gaither, 2017), and socially awkward (Remedios, Chasteen, & Oey, 2012) and less warm (Sanchez & Bonam, 2009) than their monoracial peers. Compared to biracial African American and Whites, Asian American and White biracial people are less accepted by their monoracial Asian group (Sanchez & Bonam, 2009; Chen, Kteily, & Ho, 2018). This biracial group is judged as less competent than monoracial Asians and less loyal and monoracial Asians worry that their biracial peers will “trade up” to their white identity when it’s advantageous. Our studies focus on whether people make stereotypical distinctions between biracial and monoracial Asian males. In this mixed subjects design, participants rate headshots of Asian monoracial and biracial actors on a series of traits consistent with Asian and biracial stereotypes. When participants are presented with pictures of Asian Americans that they are led to believe as identifying monoracial or biracial, we predict the following: Participants will rate targets believed to be monoracial relatively higher on traits consistent with the Asian stereotype compared to targets believed to be biracial. Participants will also rate the monoracial targets relatively lower on traits consistent with the biracial stereotype compared to targets believed to be biracial. Data collection is underway with participants presented with 10 headshots (5 biracial and 5 monoracial actors) then they are asked to provide their ratings. Study two involves examining whether the application of these stereotypes can lead to hiring discrimination.
Faculty Mentor/Advisor
Saera Khan
Included in
The Application of Biracial and Monoracial Asian American Stereotypes
Previous research suggests that the biracial stereotype (across all biracial groups) consists of the following characteristics: biracial people are unusually good looking and they struggle to fit in (Skinner, Perry, & Gaither, 2019). This general biracial struggle to fit in has been also described as “confused over their identity” and has been attributed as the reason for why they are judged as less trustworthy, less socially accepted (Chelsey & Wagner, 2013), loyal to their group (Albuja, Sanchez, Gaither, 2017), and socially awkward (Remedios, Chasteen, & Oey, 2012) and less warm (Sanchez & Bonam, 2009) than their monoracial peers. Compared to biracial African American and Whites, Asian American and White biracial people are less accepted by their monoracial Asian group (Sanchez & Bonam, 2009; Chen, Kteily, & Ho, 2018). This biracial group is judged as less competent than monoracial Asians and less loyal and monoracial Asians worry that their biracial peers will “trade up” to their white identity when it’s advantageous. Our studies focus on whether people make stereotypical distinctions between biracial and monoracial Asian males. In this mixed subjects design, participants rate headshots of Asian monoracial and biracial actors on a series of traits consistent with Asian and biracial stereotypes. When participants are presented with pictures of Asian Americans that they are led to believe as identifying monoracial or biracial, we predict the following: Participants will rate targets believed to be monoracial relatively higher on traits consistent with the Asian stereotype compared to targets believed to be biracial. Participants will also rate the monoracial targets relatively lower on traits consistent with the biracial stereotype compared to targets believed to be biracial. Data collection is underway with participants presented with 10 headshots (5 biracial and 5 monoracial actors) then they are asked to provide their ratings. Study two involves examining whether the application of these stereotypes can lead to hiring discrimination.
