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The Cognitive Effects of Experiencing and Observing Subtle Racial Discrimination

Bibliographic Data

ID8096880
AuthorsElise Ozier (Indiana University, corresponding author), Elise M Ozier (Indiana University), Valerie Jones Taylor (0000-0002-6930-4155, Lehigh University, corresponding author), Mary C Murphy (0000-0001-6511-498X, Indiana University)
Year2019
Volume75
Issue4
Pages1087-1115
Publication date2019-09-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Issues (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-4537 • E-ISSN: 1540-4560
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/josi.12349
OpenAlexW2973141179
LanguageEN
Citations received25
References cited81

Most research on the cognitive effects of subtle racial discrimination among racial and ethnic minorities focuses on direct experiences of it wherein stigmatized individuals are the targets of discriminatory treatment. However, it is not necessary for people to be the direct target of discriminatory behavior to experience the negative consequences associated with it. Although exposure to discriminatory behavior is increasingly common given the accessibility of smartphones and social media, we know relatively little about how this exposure affects people's executive functioning. Here, we provide a systematic, comparative review of the extant literature on the effects of (a) personally experiencing versus (b) observing instances of subtle racial discrimination toward others on three core executive functions: inhibition, shifting, and updating. We highlight where more work is needed to understand the cognitive consequences of observing discrimination and we provide initial evidence that observing subtle discrimination impairs updating—a previously unexplored relationship. Finally, we discuss the implications of executive function impairment due to observing and experiencing subtle discrimination for long‐term outcomes, such as academic achievement, employment, and mental health

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Ethnic group · Extant taxon · Racial bias · Racism · Sociology · Cultural Differences and Values · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works25
Citations per year3,57
Citation span2019 - 2026 (8)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 25
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