Ingroup distancing protects well-being but feeds prejudice that worsens interracial relations

Evidence

What is clear from current research is that the pervasiveness of racial discrimination (i.e., the universal context of racism) has a generally adverse impact on psychological well-being. Although distancing oneself from the outgroup (i.e., strengthening ties to the ingroup) can have positive psychological benefits for targets of discrimination, as Allport suggested, this can lead to outgroup prejudice, which may exacerbate the negativity of interracial relations. For example, Blacks might take solace in segregating themselves from Whites (and may feel completely justified in doing so), but self-protective behaviors can undermine opportunities for Blacks to disconfirm negative stereotypes possessed by Whites (and vice versa). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1072

Categorization

• XREF: Directly engages and complicates the vault’s contact-theory claims: self-segregation reduces opportunity for stereotype disconfirmation, which contact hypothesis assumes as a mechanism.