Wuhan residents perceptions of prejudice and discrimination and the social categorization processes during and after the Covid-19 lockdown

A qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID2927467
AuthorsT Zhou (0000-0001-7902-933X, Shanghai Normal University), Yihao Hu (0000-0002-9908-611X, East China Normal University), Wenyi Jiang (0000-0002-3446-6189, Shanghai Springer Nature Information Consulting Services Company Limited, China), Robert J Coplan (0000-0003-3696-2108, Carleton University), Muzi Yuan (0009-0005-2799-3756, East China Normal University), Dan Li (0009-0009-7330-3225, Shanghai Normal University), Junsheng Liu (0000-0002-6823-0617, East China Normal University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume41
Issue12
Pages3616-3640
Publication date2024-12-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/02654075241269711
OpenAlexW4401345306
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited39

Although studies have focused on intergroup biases (e.g., discrimination) during the COVID-19 pandemic, little is known about the underlying mechanisms driving intergroup bias, specifically social categorization. In-depth interviews were conducted among 32 residents of Wuhan, P.R. China, during and after the initial COVID-19 lockdown (Jan-July, 2020). Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied to describe perceived prejudice and discrimination and the intergroup interaction processes. Results indicated that: (1) Wuhan residents' interpretations of perceived prejudice and discrimination evolved over time, especially regarding views of the pandemic prevention measures; (2) intergroup contact, emotional factors and cognitive factors influenced individuals' perceptions of prejudice and discrimination; (3) social categorization and integration processes underwent changes across different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan, encompassing the lockdown and reopening; (4) the group identity of recovered COVID-19 patients was easily solidified; (5) in the group integration process, emphasizing common attributes between groups, individualized media coverage and positive aspects of intergroup interactions weakened intergroup boundaries and promoted group integration. These results enrich existing knowledge about perceived discrimination and social categorization processes of a suddenly marginalized group through qualitative research methods

Categorization · Cognition · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Developmental psychology · Identity (music · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Pandemic · Perception · Prejudice (legal term · Qualitative research · Social distance · Social group · Social identity theory · Sociology · Medicine · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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