Responding to Microaggressions: Social Cost of Bystander Intervention Strategies

Abstract

This two-part study examined the effects of intervener’s race (White vs. Asian) and intervention format (high-threat—emphasizing the act of racism, low-threat—emphasizing the norm of justice, support-based—emphasizing a nonjudgmental attitude) on perceptions of microaggression interventions for White observers and Asian American targets. In separate 2 x 3 experimental designs, Asian Americans participants (N = 187) and White American participants (N = 185) were recruited through Qualtrics panels and randomly assigned to one of six conditions (three formats of intervention and two intervener groups). Participants read a vignette, imagined themselves as targets of the microaggression (Asian sample) or witnesses of the interaction (White sample), and completed a set of questionnaires assessing positive and negative perceptions of the intervener and aggressor. Asian American targets and White witnesses had more negative perceptions of interveners in the high threat condition. Covariates were relevant in interpreting reactions to intervention.