The same prejudice lapse triggers guilt or threat depending on motivation source

Evidence

Plant, Devine, and their colleagues’ evolving program of research examines the utility of this individual difference approach for understanding the challenges involved in controlling prejudice (Devine et al., 2002; Devine, Brodish, & Vance, 2005; Plant & Devine, 1998, 2001, 2004). For example, low-prejudice people who are internally motivated experience compunction when they respond with prejudice, whereas people who are externally motivated experience threat – a qualitatively distinct form of affective distress. This distinction suggests the possibility that threat might serve as an effective cue for control for externally motivated people, whereas guilt might serve this function primarily for internally motivated people. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2123

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Greater prejudice predicts lower collective guilt via justifiability construals — Nyla R. Branscombe and Bertjan Doosje (eds.), Collective Guilt: International…, 453