The White gaze in racial stereotype research: Sample bias and its consequences

Date

2025-04-19

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

ISSN

0144-6665
2044-8309

Volume Title

Publisher

Wiley

Type

Article

Peer reviewed

Yes

Abstract

Existing research on racial stereotypes predominantly relies upon White subjects, exploring their perceptions of Blacks and Asians. Do its findings generalize beyond Whites? To find out, we combined insights from the Stereotype Content Model and Gendered-race Theory, exploring the racial stereotypes of Whites, Blacks and Asians simultaneously as both perceivers and targets. In two studies involving White, Black and Asian Americans (Study 1, N = 702), and surveys in Australia, Japan, South Korea and China (Study 2, N = 6508), we found both similarities and differences in how racial groups perceive each other. Asians were consistently seen as more competent but less athletic, while Blacks were seen as more athletic but less competent. Whites fell between these poles. But each group differed in viewing their own race as warmer than other races, suggesting ingroup favoritism. This research demonstrates that diverse racial samples are needed for a less Eurocentric and more accurate understanding of racial stereotypes.

Description

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.

Keywords

ingroup bias, race, sample bias, social cognition, stereotypes

Citation

Peng, C., Yam, P. P. C., and Gries, P. (2025) The White gaze in racial stereotype research: Sample bias and its consequences. British Journal of Social Psychology, 64, e12889

Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Research Institute

Social Sciences Research and Innovation Institute