Resumen de Some evidence for the nonverbal contagion of racial bias

Greg Willard, Kyonne-Joy Isaac, Dana R. Carney

• Four experiments provide evidence for the hypothesis that we can �catch� racial bias from others by merely observing subtle nonverbal cues. Video recordings were made of white participants (with varying levels of racial bias) interacting with a neutral black confederate. Videos contained subtle expressions of positivity or negativity, corresponding to white participants� levels of bias. Participants randomly assigned to observe the subtle anti-black bias videos (vs. pro-black) formed more negative impressions of the black person (Experiment 1), adopted more negative racial stereotypes (Experiment 2), and demonstrated greater anti-black bias themselves (Experiment 3). Participants only demonstrated increased bias when they knew that a black person was the target (vs. white; Experiment 4). Results suggest that nonverbal expressions of racial bias affect more than simply the actor and target�they affect passive, naïve observers. The good news, however, is that the same is true of pro-black bias. Implications for organizations are discussed.