Stigmatized people cope by psychologically unlinking self-esteem from domains where prejudice operates
Evidence
Withdrawal of effort is likely to be one byproduct of psychologically disengaging self-esteem from a domain (Major et al., 1998). Psychological disengagement refers to detaching self-esteem from external feedback in a domain such that feelings of self-worth are not dependent on successes or failures in that domain (Major et al., 1998). One method of disengaging self-esteem from a domain is to discount the validity of feedback received in that domain; a second method is to devalue or reduce the importance in one’s self-concept of a domain in which one is stigmatized. … Consistent with this process, African Americans’ self-esteem is affected less than that of European Americans by feedback on intelligence tests when race is salient, but not when it is not salient (Major et al., 1998). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 966 (
#corroborates, via linked claim)
Although some targets of prejudice enhance their striving in response to prejudice, others withdraw their efforts from domains in which they are negatively stereotyped, devalued, or unfairly treated. Withdrawal of effort is likely to be one byproduct of psychologically disengaging self-esteem from a domain (Major et al., 1998). Psychological disengagement refers to detaching self-esteem from external feedback in a domain such that feelings of self-worth are not dependent on successes or failures in that domain (Major et al., 1998). One method of disengaging self-esteem from a domain is to discount the validity of feedback received in that domain; a second method is to devalue or reduce the importance in one’s self-concept of a domain in which one is stigmatized. … Consistent with this process, African Americans’ self-esteem is affected less than that of European Americans by feedback on intelligence tests when race is salient, but not when it is not salient (Major et al., 1998). — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 966 (
#expands, via linked claim)
Categorization
- XREF: connects to: Self-esteem operates implicitly through self-serving judgment biases that also buttress the self. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 152; Stigmatized groups differ sharply in whether they show lowered self-esteem; Prejudice can serve unconscious self-esteem needs people rationalize away — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2341 (+9 more)
Broader Connections
- Stigmatized people protect self-esteem by unlinking it from prejudiced feedback.
#corroborates(0.98) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 966 - Stigmatized people disengage self-worth from domains where they face bias
#corroborates(0.96) - Stigmatized individuals protect self-esteem by disengaging from feedback in negatively stereotyped domains
#expands(0.92) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 966 - Self-image threat increases derogation of stigmatized groups as esteem repair
#complicates(0.73) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2377 - Prejudice can serve unconscious self-esteem needs people rationalize away
#complicates(0.72) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2341