Center for Behavioral Decision Research

CBDR : Seminar Series : Seminar by Sophie Trawalter

The Dynamics of Interracial Contact: A Stress and Coping Approach

	presented by Sophie Trawalter (Northwestern University)


	Tuesday, December 9	link to paper
	12:00
	PH 223D	link to Speaker's Site

	Abstract:

	Behavior during interracial interactions is often negative, leading to negative interpersonal outcomes. Extant research has investigated race-related individual differences (e.g., racial bias) as the cause of such behavior. However, this research has not been able to predict who will behave positively and who will behave negatively during interracial interactions. The present research offers a new framework, grounded in the stress and coping literature, for understanding and predicting behavior during interracial interactions. In this framework, I propose that interracial contact is often appraised as a threat and, as such, elicits stress and coping responses. In other words, behavior during interracial contact can be understood as distinct coping responses-via antagonism, avoidance, freezing, and engagement-to stressful encounters. Consistent with this proposition, I will present evidence that many Whites appraise interracial contact as a threat to be avoided (Study 1), and that their behavior (Studies 2 and 3) and physiology (Study 4) during interracial interactions map onto stress and coping responses. In addition, I will share evidence that reappraising interracial contact can lead to more adaptive coping responses (Study 5). Taken together, these data provide converging evidence that the dynamics of interracial contact reflect stress and coping. Accordingly, this framework provides new ground from which to predict positive intergroup behavior and develop interventions to improve the quality of interracial contact.

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