The Effect of Target Status on Witnesses' Reactions to Confrontations of Bias

Although interpersonal confrontations can be effective in reducing expressions of bias (Czopp, Monteith, & Mark, 2006 Czopp , A. M. , Monteith , M. J. , & Mark , A. M. ( 2006 ). Standing up for a change: Reducing bias through interpersonal confrontation . Journal of Personality and Social Psychology , 90 , 784 – 803 .Crossref, PubMed, Web of Science ® , Google Scholar), target group members (e.g., Blacks) may be less effective in their confrontations than nontargets (e.g., Whites) because they are perceived as complainers (e.g., Czopp & Monteith, 2003 Czopp , A. M. , & Monteith , M. J. (2003). Confronting prejudice (literally): Reactions to confrontations of racial and gender bias. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 29, 532–544.Crossref, PubMed, Web of Science ® , Google Scholar). This study extends previous research beyond the confrontation dyad and examines evaluations of third parties who witness a biased response and its confrontation by a target or nontarget. In addition, to determine the absolute (rather than relative) effectiveness of target versus nontarget confrontations, this study included a no-confrontation control condition. White participants watched a video debate between two students in which a White speaker expressed negative race-related comments and was either confronted or not by a White or Black speaker. The nontarget's confrontation was rated as more persuasive and increased perceptions of the White speaker's level of bias, whereas the target's confrontation was rated as rude and increased participants' agreement with the initial biased response.