Author

Emily Wheat

Date of Award

8-2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Cindy M. Bukach

Abstract

The ORE is phenomenon whereby recognition for own race faces is better than recognition of other race faces. This study examines how non-perceptual factors—social context, attitudes, and experience—impact the ORE. Participants from three different racial groups (Caucasian, Black, Asian) completed a face recognition task screening faces for status-specific targets (baseline, perpetrator, victim), self-report measures of explicit bias and experience with members from other races and a measure of implicit bias. Results indicated that non-perceptual factors impact the ORE. Specifically, Caucasian participants revealed a reduced ORE for other race perpetrators in comparison to victims. Black participants revealed a reduced ORE for Asian perpetrators in comparison to victims. Additionally, Asian participant negative implicit attitudes are related to a stronger ORE for Caucasian victims; for Blacks, increased social contact with Caucasians was associated with less implicit bias towards Caucasians. These findings support a multi-factor approach to studying the ORE.

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