Cognitive Cost Of Exposure To Racial Prejudice Summary

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Racial prejudice, in its various forms, continues to pervade society, affecting individuals’ cognitive functioning and well-being. Jessica Salvatore and J. Nicole Shelton explore the psychological repercussions of exposure to racial prejudice in their article, “Cognitive Costs of Exposure to Racial Prejudice”. They shed light on the different experiences of Black and white Americans using prior research, as well as, various types of prejudice. In addition, they provide valuable insight into the distinct ways racial bias affects the cognitive processing of different ethnic groups. Throughout the article, the authors provide a comprehensive summary of past research that further illustrates the various effects of racial prejudice on different …show more content…

Ambiguous prejudice, on the other hand, refers to forms of discrimination that are subtle or not immediately apparent. This type of prejudice can be much more difficult to detect, especially if you are not familiar with it, as it often manifests through implicit biases or microaggressions that may not be overtly discriminatory. Ethnic minorities are subject to both blatant and ambiguous prejudice too often; however, it seems that one may be easier to deal with than the other. It has been suggested that individuals belonging to marginalized communities are able to develop effective coping mechanisms to deal with prejudice as they navigate life (Miller & Kaiser, 2001). These coping mechanisms in some ways can lessen the effects typically linked with recognizing prejudice; however, they can only be utilized when one can associate an incident with prejudice. This is made difficult when the prejudice is ambiguous and therefore more difficult to identify. The feeling of uncertainty that minorities are left with after being treated negatively by others is a significant aspect of what it is like to undergo stigmatization (Crocker, Major, & Steele, …show more content…

The evidence that the White participants may not perceive ambiguous prejudice as discriminatory underscores the need for increased awareness and education on the complexity of racism. By acknowledging and confronting subtle biases, as a society we can work towards creating more inclusive environments. Furthermore, the study’s findings on the resilience and coping mechanisms used by ethnic minorities prompts some reflection. In my opinion, understanding some of the factors that contribute to their ability to withstand certain blatant discrimination can inform strategies for building resilience and empowerment within other marginalized communities. On the other hand, I think it is also important to acknowledge that these coping strategies are not sustainable for the physiological and psychological health of these individuals and definitely not a permanent solution. Instead, I think this study gives us the opportunity to further develop educational programs, diversity training, and policies that promote inclusivity to ensure we are not fostering environments that allow even subtle prejudice to go

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