The positive feedback bias as a response to self-image threat

Br J Soc Psychol. 2010 Mar;49(Pt 1):207-18. doi: 10.1348/014466609X473956. Epub 2009 Oct 19.

Abstract

This research examined whether Whites favourably bias their feedback to minorities in order to see themselves as egalitarian. White teacher trainees first had their egalitarian self-images affirmed, left unchanged, or threatened. They then provided feedback on a poorly written essay supposedly authored by either a Black or a White student. As predicted, trainees in the Black writer/self-image threat condition selectively rated essay content more favourably, recommended less time for skill development, provided more favourable copy-editing comments, and generated more equivocating 'buffers'. In contrast, trainees in the Black writer/self-image boost condition supplied feedback indistinguishable from feedback provided by trainees in the White writer conditions, which was unaffected by the self-image conditions. The implications for minority education and intergroup communication are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Black or African American / ethnology
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Feedback, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Self Concept*
  • Social Identification*
  • Social Perception*
  • Students / psychology*
  • White People / ethnology
  • White People / psychology*
  • Young Adult