Nonverbal bias amid the pandemic: Race-based differences in distancing and perceptions of change
Document Type
Poster
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
16-5-2021
End Date
22-5-2021
Keywords
Implicit bias, social distancing, race/ethnicity, pandemic, diversity
Abstract
Over 30% of Asian adults report experiencing race/ethnicity-based prejudice/discrimination since the outbreak of Covid-19 began, and the majority believe people express insensitive views about Asians more frequently (Pew Research Center, 2020). However, less is known about more subtle forms of bias (i.e., nonverbal and physical distancing). Across two studies, we examined perceptions of distancing behaviors amidst the coronavirus and the extent to which perceptions differ by race. Compared to pre-pandemic interactions, we expected participants to report increased distancing behaviors toward them and that perceptions of change would depend on race. Specifically, given the harmful rhetoric on the virus and its origin, we expected Asian Americans would report more distancing behaviors from others. Study 1 was conducted in the early months of the pandemic. MTurk workers (N=197) rated physical and nonverbal distancing behaviors toward them in the past week, and perceptions of changes in those behaviors compared to before the outbreak. Supporting our hypothesis, overall, participants reported experiencing greater distancing compared to pre-pandemic (e.g., physical distance, closed body posture, less eye contact; ts>3.05, ps<.003). While participants experienced a change toward more distant behaviors, this change was more extreme for Asian Americans for nonverbal distancing behavior involving closed body posture, t(187)=1.93,p>.03, d=.53. Study 2 replicated results with a students (N=140) later in the pandemic, with participants reporting greater physical and nonverbal distancing compared to pre-pandemic (all ts> 2.83, ps<.006). Once again, experienced changes in closed body posture were greater for Asian American participants, t(138)=1.87, p<04, d=.68. Implications for race-based biases are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Diedericks, Dené, "Nonverbal bias amid the pandemic: Race-based differences in distancing and perceptions of change" (2021). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 80.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/COTS/80
Department/Program
Psychology
Additional Mentoring Department
https://cwu.studentopportunitycenter.com/nonverbal-bias-amid-the-pandemic-race-based-differences-in-distancing-and-perceptions-of-change/
Nonverbal bias amid the pandemic: Race-based differences in distancing and perceptions of change
Ellensburg
Over 30% of Asian adults report experiencing race/ethnicity-based prejudice/discrimination since the outbreak of Covid-19 began, and the majority believe people express insensitive views about Asians more frequently (Pew Research Center, 2020). However, less is known about more subtle forms of bias (i.e., nonverbal and physical distancing). Across two studies, we examined perceptions of distancing behaviors amidst the coronavirus and the extent to which perceptions differ by race. Compared to pre-pandemic interactions, we expected participants to report increased distancing behaviors toward them and that perceptions of change would depend on race. Specifically, given the harmful rhetoric on the virus and its origin, we expected Asian Americans would report more distancing behaviors from others. Study 1 was conducted in the early months of the pandemic. MTurk workers (N=197) rated physical and nonverbal distancing behaviors toward them in the past week, and perceptions of changes in those behaviors compared to before the outbreak. Supporting our hypothesis, overall, participants reported experiencing greater distancing compared to pre-pandemic (e.g., physical distance, closed body posture, less eye contact; ts>3.05, ps<.003). While participants experienced a change toward more distant behaviors, this change was more extreme for Asian Americans for nonverbal distancing behavior involving closed body posture, t(187)=1.93,p>.03, d=.53. Study 2 replicated results with a students (N=140) later in the pandemic, with participants reporting greater physical and nonverbal distancing compared to pre-pandemic (all ts> 2.83, ps<.006). Once again, experienced changes in closed body posture were greater for Asian American participants, t(138)=1.87, p<04, d=.68. Implications for race-based biases are discussed.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2021/COTS/80
Faculty Mentor(s)
Tonya Buchanan