Are Aversive Racists Distinguishable From Those With High Explicit Racial Prejudice?

Abstract

Aversive racists are those low in outward expressions of racism that nonetheless possess negativefeelings (i.e., implicit prejudicial attitudes) toward out-groups such as African or AsianAmericans. This study examined whether those meeting the criteria of aversive racism were statisticallymore advanced from those who are high in attitudes favoring explicit racial prejudice inmoral judgment development, moral identity, universal orientation, empathy, and social desirability.Conversely, this study examined whether those meeting the criteria for aversive racism werestatistically less advanced from those who are high in attitudes favoring explicit racial prejudicein authenticity, social dominance, and authoritarianism. Signifi cant differences were observed inauthenticity, nonprejudice, authoritarianism, social dominance, and postconventional reasoning.The fi ndings support that aversive racism appears to be a phenomenon distinct from high explicitracial prejudice. However, fi ndings also suggest that though aversive racism may impact day-todaydecisions, it does not appear to be as detrimental to the self and social functioning overallas is high explicit racial prejudice.