Shopping While Non-White in Ellensburg, WA
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
Using self-report, researchers have investigated minority experiences while shopping or eating out at various establishments in the US and elsewhere around the world. These studies have shown that in general, minorities, especially Blacks, report that they are not treated with the same respect or care as whites, are followed more frequently than whites, and frequently are not comfortable in non-minority owned establishments. There is little actual field research investigating minority experiences while shopping or eating out, but the few we have found show similar results. For example, the body language of white waitstaff often is less warm with minority customers (e.g., less smiling, less eye contact, etc.) than with white customers. In addition, reports from Central Washington University minority students corroborate these results. In the present study, African American, Hispanic, or Caucasian confederates were asked to shop or eat at various stores and restaurants around Ellensburg, WA while independent observers noted the behavior of the staff using a behavior checklist and stopwatches. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if there is a racial bias shown toward minority customers, as reported in casual conversation. The observational results will be presented and discussed.
Recommended Citation
Pearsons, Grace; Wilson, Madeline; and Ford, Allison, "Shopping While Non-White in Ellensburg, WA" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 14.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/14
Department/Program
Psychology
Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Pearsons
Additional Files
Grace_Pearsons -SOURCE_ Shopping While Non-White in Ellensburg, Washington.pptx (342 kB)Slides for SOURCE 2019 presentation Pearsons
Shopping While Non-White in Ellensburg, WA
Ellensburg
Using self-report, researchers have investigated minority experiences while shopping or eating out at various establishments in the US and elsewhere around the world. These studies have shown that in general, minorities, especially Blacks, report that they are not treated with the same respect or care as whites, are followed more frequently than whites, and frequently are not comfortable in non-minority owned establishments. There is little actual field research investigating minority experiences while shopping or eating out, but the few we have found show similar results. For example, the body language of white waitstaff often is less warm with minority customers (e.g., less smiling, less eye contact, etc.) than with white customers. In addition, reports from Central Washington University minority students corroborate these results. In the present study, African American, Hispanic, or Caucasian confederates were asked to shop or eat at various stores and restaurants around Ellensburg, WA while independent observers noted the behavior of the staff using a behavior checklist and stopwatches. The purpose of this experiment is to determine if there is a racial bias shown toward minority customers, as reported in casual conversation. The observational results will be presented and discussed.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/14
Faculty Mentor(s)
Marte Fallshore