Perceiving Discrimination: The Role of Prototypes and Norm Violation

Abstract

Two studies examined the cues people use when deciding whether an action constitutes discrimination. Study 1 examined whether beliefs about white perpetrators, beliefs about powerful perpetrators, and or characteristics of the perceiver (race, sex) affected perceptions of racial discrimination. The racial group expected to have power in the situation was manipulated, as were the perpetrators' and victims' races. White and Mexican subjects determined whether the derogatory comments reflected discrimination. Overall, the data showed that perpetrators who were expected to be in power were seen as more prejudiced than perpetrators who were not expected to be in power. Study 2 examined possible mediators explaining why powerful perpetrators were more readily seen as prejudiced. New subjects evaluated the various perpetrators and actions along several dimensions (e.g., degree of malice present, the perpetrator's power). These ratings were then correlated with the prejudiced ratings from Study 1. The results showed that two independent processes were operating. Actions violating the norm of social responsibility were seen as prejudiced, as were actions from prototypic (or expected) perpetrators. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.