Work

How does exposure to masked individuals affect White Americans' attitudes toward Asian American and Pacific Islanders?

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Across three studies, conducted between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021, we tested whether exposure to an Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) target person wearing a face mask would increase or decrease White Americans' perceived threat from and positivity toward AAPI individuals. Although results varied by study, a single-paper meta-analysis revealed that the masked (compared to unmasked) AAPI target resulted in greater positivity toward AAPIs, due to reduced perceptions of both symbolic threat to group values and realistic threat to group health. Positivity toward AAPIs did not reliably differ after exposure to a masked versus unmasked White target. Implications for interventions that encourage COVID-safe behaviors and combat anti-AAPI attitudes are discussed.

Source: Social and Personality Psychology Compass

DOI: 10.1111/spc3.12819

Authors: Kimberly Rios, Carolyn T. Pham, Zhen Hadassah Cheng, Bobby K. Cheon

Institutions: Ohio University, DePaul University, Oregon Health & Science University, National Institutes of Health, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Language: English

Topic: Social and Intergroup Psychology

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,090