A Tale of Three Skin Tones: When Brown Skin Determines Citizenship and Immigration Policy
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
18-5-2020
Abstract
Across two experiments we examine how skin tone influences social categorizations involving immigration and legal status, and explore whether specific patterns of categorization predict support for stringent immigration policies. In Study 1, we presented undergraduate participants (N=209) with photographs of people with light vs dark skin and asked them to rate the likelihood, 1(Extremely unlikely) to 5(Extremely likely), that the individual was an immigrant. Supporting our hypothesis of a connection between skin tone and perceived immigration status, participants rated individuals with dark(vs light) skin as more likely to be immigrants, F(1,97)=11.59, p<.001, n2=.11. In Study 2 (data collection ongoing), we further investigated the influence of skin tone on social categorization, showing participants computerized images of the same man with either brown, white, or black skin. Participants rated the likelihood of that individual being an immigrant and undocumented. Additionally, participants rated their support for several hostile immigration policies (Marshall & Shapiro, 2018) using a 7-point Likert scale. We expect that participants will rate individuals with brown skin as more likely to be immigrants and undocumented than individuals with white/black skin. In addition, we expect that participants who identify the individual with brown skin as more likely to be an immigrant and undocumented will be more inclined to support stringent immigration policies. As highlighted by recent events, associating skin tone and immigration status can have dangerous implications (e.g., being stopped to provide identification, run over with a car for "looking Mexcian").
Recommended Citation
Chirco, Patrizia, "A Tale of Three Skin Tones: When Brown Skin Determines Citizenship and Immigration Policy" (2020). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 103.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2020/COTS/103
Department/Program
Psychology
Additional Mentoring Department
https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/2020/04/a-tale-of-three-skin-tones-when-brown-skin-determines-citizenship-and-immigration-policy-2/
A Tale of Three Skin Tones: When Brown Skin Determines Citizenship and Immigration Policy
Ellensburg
Across two experiments we examine how skin tone influences social categorizations involving immigration and legal status, and explore whether specific patterns of categorization predict support for stringent immigration policies. In Study 1, we presented undergraduate participants (N=209) with photographs of people with light vs dark skin and asked them to rate the likelihood, 1(Extremely unlikely) to 5(Extremely likely), that the individual was an immigrant. Supporting our hypothesis of a connection between skin tone and perceived immigration status, participants rated individuals with dark(vs light) skin as more likely to be immigrants, F(1,97)=11.59, p<.001, n2=.11. In Study 2 (data collection ongoing), we further investigated the influence of skin tone on social categorization, showing participants computerized images of the same man with either brown, white, or black skin. Participants rated the likelihood of that individual being an immigrant and undocumented. Additionally, participants rated their support for several hostile immigration policies (Marshall & Shapiro, 2018) using a 7-point Likert scale. We expect that participants will rate individuals with brown skin as more likely to be immigrants and undocumented than individuals with white/black skin. In addition, we expect that participants who identify the individual with brown skin as more likely to be an immigrant and undocumented will be more inclined to support stringent immigration policies. As highlighted by recent events, associating skin tone and immigration status can have dangerous implications (e.g., being stopped to provide identification, run over with a car for "looking Mexcian").
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2020/COTS/103
Faculty Mentor(s)
Tonya Buchanan