White U.S. College Students’ Perceptions Of Prospective International Students Differ By Race And Stereotypical Attributes

Abstract

Because many international students of color report feeling devalued by host peers, host peers’ responses to students from different racial/ethnic groups warrant empirical study. Participants were White, non-Latinx undergraduates (N = 228) who were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Specifically, participants read about a prospective student from either Asia or Europe who was described as exhibiting either model minority stereotypical or counter-stereotypical attributes. Participants evaluated how likely the student was to be admitted to college and the student’s academic and social competence. Despite identical qualifications, participants perceived the Asian student as more likely to be admitted but less academically competent than the European student. Regardless of race, international students with stereotypical attributes were perceived as less socially competent than those with counter-stereotypical attributes. Results suggest that racial dissimilarity reduces host peers’ receptivity towards international students of color. Targeted multicultural education for host peers may be necessary to promote international students’ effective integration.