STEREOTYPES
Even as we become more aware of the dangers of discrimination, many members of minority groups continue to be scrutinized due to their skin color or sexual orientation. Surprisingly, a study suggests that the most scrutiny comes from those who are least biased.
Researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Utah asked white, heterosexual subjects who had tested either very high or very low in prejudice to listen to arguments posed by black, white, gay or straight experimenters. Indeed, subjects watched minority speakers more closely than non-minorities.
But this wasn't necessarily a sign of bias, say the researchers, since the closest scrutiny came from the most unlikely of quarters—subjects who were least prejudiced. "We think the low-prejudice subjects were paying closer attention in an attempt to guard against the possibility of their own prejudice," says Richard Petty, Ph.D., of Ohio State. Tolerant people may also be trying to defend minority speakers against attack. So while stigmatized members of society are still singled out, at least it's with better intentions.
