Allport predicted targets develop obsessive vigilance for prejudice cues

Evidence

Allport postulated that chronic targets of prejudice are haunted by feelings of anxiety over whether they will suffer insult and humiliation at the hands of the nonstigmatized, and as a consequence, experience deep feelings of insecurity. He wrote, “Alertness is the first step the ego takes for selfdefense. It must be on guard. Sometimes the sensitiveness develops to an unreal pitch of suspicion; even the smallest cues may be loaded with feeling” (Allport, 1954/1979, pp. 144–5). In response to these feelings of insecurity, he proposed that the stigmatized become alert for and sensitive to signs of prejudice in others and preoccupied with the possibility that they are or will become a target of prejudice. Further, he proposed that in some cases this preoccupation becomes excessive, leading to vigilance, hypersensitiveness, and deep distrust of all members of the dominant group. He labeled this response obsessive concern. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 942

Categorization

• DEFINE: Introduces ‘obsessive concern’ as Allport’s label for chronic vigilance among the stigmatized.
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 942