The accurate perception of anti-Black attitudes: a lens model approach

Introduction The purpose of this study was to observe how accurate Black and White perceivers were in detecting White targets' anti-Black attitudes, the non-verbal cues that were related to targets' anti-Black attitudes, and the cues that were related to perceivers' judgments of targets' anti-Black attitudes. Method White targets ( N = 61) engaged in an interracial interview and completed a self-report measure of anti-Black attitudes. We recruited Black perceivers ( N = 114) and White perceivers ( N = 108) through Prolific who watched 30 second, silent clips of targets and inferred each targets' anti-Black attitudes. Research assistants coded the clips for various non-verbal behaviors (e.g., smiling) and impressions (e.g., positivity, anger). Results Black and White perceivers were able to accurately (above chance) detect targets' anti-Black attitudes. Targets' anti-Black attitudes were significantly and positively related to coded target anger during the interracial interaction. Similarly, Black and White perceivers' judgments of targets' anti-Black attitudes were significantly and positively related to coded target anger. Several other non-verbal behaviors generally reflecting less positive feelings and impressions were also related to perceivers' judgments of higher anti-Black attitudes. Relationships between targets' self-reported attitudes and non-verbal cues, as well as the relationships between perceiver judgments of attitudes and non-verbal cues, were largely only significant when targets were interviewing with a Black woman and not a Black man. Lastly, Black and White perceivers were more accurate in detecting targets' anti-Black attitudes when the target was interviewing with a Black woman, compared to a Black man. Discussion Implications for identifying anti-Black attitudes in workplace settings are discussed.