Self-Presentation in Interracial Settings: The Competence Downshift by White Liberals
Cydney H. Dupree
YaleUniversity
Susan T. Fiske
Princeton University
In press at the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
“Most Whites, particularly socio-political liberals, now endorse racial equality. Archival and experimental research reveals a subtle but reliable ironic consequence: White liberals self-present less competence to minorities than to other Whites that is, they patronize minorities stereotyped as lower status and less competent.__In an initial archival demonstration of the competence downshift, Study 1 examined the content of White Republican and Democratic presidential candidates’ campaign speeches. Although Republican candidates did not significantly shift language based on audience racial composition, Democratic candidates used less competence-related language to minority audiences than to White audiences.”__
https://psyarxiv.com/pv2ab/