When Do We Confront? Perceptions of Costs and Benefits Predict Confronting Discrimination on Behalf of the Self and Others

Bibliographic Data

ID12005013
AuthorsJessica J Good (0000-0003-3009-1903, Davidson College, corresponding author), Corinne A Moss-Racusin (0000-0002-9824-7524, Yale University), Diana T Sanchez (0000-0002-8684-6183, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey)
Year2012
Volume36
Issue2
Pages210-226
Publication date2012-04-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychology of Women Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0361-6843 • E-ISSN: 1471-6402
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0361684312440958
OpenAlexW2004843204
LanguageEN
Citations received46
References cited51

Across two studies, we tested whether perceived social costs and benefits of confrontation would similarly predict confronting discrimination both when it was experienced and when it was observed as directed at others. Female undergraduate participants were asked to recall past experiences and observations of sexism, as well as their confronting behaviors. Path modeling in Study 1 ( N = 148) demonstrated that women were more likely to report confronting if they believed that the confrontation would make a difference (perceived benefits), or they were less concerned about social sanctions (perceived costs), and the prediction patterns were similar for both experienced and observed sexism. Study 2 ( N = 166) replicated the results of Study 1, as well as tested the moderating influence of gender identification. In situations of higher perceived social costs, women who were less strongly identified with their gender group were more responsive to the perceived benefits of the confrontation when deciding whether to confront on behalf of the self. The results of the two studies suggest that researchers should investigate methods for enhancing perceived social benefits and reducing perceived social costs when designing intervention programs aimed at increasing confrontation and decreasing the prevalence of discrimination

Cognitive psychology · Identification (biology · Intervention (counseling · Perception · Recall · Sanctions · Social perception · Clinical Psychology · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Gender Roles and Identity Studies · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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