Perceptions of Individuals in Mixed-race Relationships

Although the number of mixed-race couples is increasing at an exponential rate in North America, these couples continue to experience stigma and discrimination, which can have deleterious effects on the physical and mental health of the individuals in these relationships. Given that first impressions of individuals can be formed instantaneously and that these first impressions can greatly influence subsequent attitudes and behaviours, in three studies I examined perceivers’ first impressions of targets in mixed-race romantic relationships when viewed on their own versus with their romantic partners. In three studies, I examined perceivers’ first impressions of targets in mixed-race relations when viewed on their own versus with their romantic partners, including perceptions of targets’ warmth and competence (Study 1), global morality (Study 2), and sub facets of morality (i.e., likelihood to betray, to conform, and prejudice level; Study 3). I found that perceptions of warmth and competence did not differ based on whether targets were viewed alone or with their partners, however, perceptions of morality did. In particular, all targets viewed with their partners were perceived as more moral and less likely to betray close others than when viewed alone, however, individuals with same-race partners were perceived as most moral and least likely to betray. Furthermore, individuals in mixed-race couples were rated as less conforming and less prejudiced than individuals in same-race couples when viewed with their partners. In sum, when viewed with their romantic partners, individuals in mixed-race dyads were perceived less favourably than those in same-race dyads in terms of morality, betrayal likelihood, and conformity. However, individuals in mixed-race dyads were perceived more favourably than those in same-race dyads in terms of prejudice. These results were largely driven by the presence of romantic partners given that perceptions of global morality, betrayal, conformity, and prejudice were similar across targets viewed alone. Together, these studies suggest that evaluations of targets’ morality are affected by whether their romantic partner is same- or other-race. These studies lay the foundation for understanding the unique challenges faced by members of mixed-race couples.Ph.D