Racism behind the screen
Examining the mediating and moderating relationships between anonymity, online disinhibition, and cyber-racism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6206989 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christopher P Barlett (0000-0003-4065-1126, Kansas State University), Jordan E Scott (Kansas State University) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 125 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 1332-1350 |
| Publication date | 2023-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-3514 • E-ISSN: 1939-1315 |
| Publisher | American Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1037/pspa0000360 |
| PMID | 37732991 |
| OpenAlex | W4386910828 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 5 |
Cyber-racism has emerged as a societal issue that affects many youths and adults; however, no published work has elucidated the psychological processes germane to predicting cyber-racism perpetration. Theory-without data to support its postulates-argues that online disinhibition mediates the relationship between anonymity afforded the online user and cyber-racism. The purpose of the current research was to examine this prediction and add to the theory by testing additional mediators and moderators. Six empirical studies tested this theory with U.S. adults, and results reliably showed that online disinhibition mediated the relationship between anonymity and cyber-racism. Moreover, we also found evidence to suggest that (a) this mediated effect remained while controlling for real-world variables, (b) the mediated effect was moderated by racial prejudice, (c) the mediated effect was moderated by cyberbullying perpetration, and (d) that certain types of online disinhibition are stronger mediators than others. Finally, Study 7 synthesized these six studies and found evidence for the mediating influence of online disinhibition in the relationship between anonymity and cyber-racism. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Anonymity · Computer security · Disinhibition · Prejudice (legal term) · PsycINFO · Racism · Sociology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology · Technology Adoption and User Behaviour
| Unique citing works | 5 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 5 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2026 (2) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 5 |