Phelan, Julie E.. How actors' reactions to deviance maintain racial stereotypes: the role of backlash and racial identity. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3V40VK6
DescriptionPrevious research has demonstrated that reprisals for counterstereotypical behavior (i.e., backlash effects, Rudman, 1998) maintains cultural stereotypes by increasing the likelihood that deviant actors will hide their atypical behavior and decreasing their desire to identify with counterstereotypical domains (Rudman & Fairchild, 2004). The present research examined how backlash impacts non-White male deviants (led to believe they succeeded in a White domain), tested social support as an intervention strategy, and examined the moderating role of racial identification. Results revealed that high racial identification acted as a buffer against the negative effects of backlash. In contrast, participants with low racial identification behaved defensively after backlash from a White confederate, but not a Black confederate. Identification with the atypical domain was decreased after backlash, regardless of racial identification. Implications of these findings for the role of backlash in cultural stereotype maintenance are discussed.