Apparent hypersensitivity may actually be accurate perception of prejudice

Evidence

In summary, rudiments of Allport’s idea that targets of prejudice are anxious about and alert for signs of prejudice in others can be found in contemporary theory and research on stereotype threat and attributional ambiguity. His belief that targets of prejudice become obsessively concerned with and hypersensitive to prejudice has received less support. Evidence of individual differences in chronic concerns about being a target of prejudice, however, suggests that some individuals may display the “obsessive concern” and vigilance that Allport described. Whether these individuals are “hypersensitive” to prejudice, or merely “accurate” perceivers of prejudice, however, is difficult to disentangle. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 950

Categorization

• QUESTION: The hypersensitivity-vs-accuracy distinction is a live research question worth chasing — does any work try to adjudicate it?
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 950