The Color of Foreignness: Distinct Consequences for Black Groups in the United States

Abstract

The majority of the social psychology literature to date suggests that being perceived as culturally foreign is a significant cause of discrimination (Tuan, 1998; Yogeeswaran & Dasgupta, 2010; L. X. Zou & Cheryan, 2017). In three studies (N = 1,188), we investigate the uniquely positive effect of perceived foreignness on Black groups in the United States. In Study 1, we establish that the relationship between negative stereotyping and perceived foreignness operates differently for Black and Asian groups. Consistent with current literature, we find that stereotypes of Asian immigrants are more negative than those of Asian Americans. However, we find the reverse effect for Black groups: stereotypes of Black immigrants are less negative than those of Black Americans. Study 2 finds that Black immigrants are perceived as higher status, warmer, and less progressive than Black Americans. In Study 3, we examine the mediating role of status stereotypes in an educational context. Undergraduate students anticipate higher work quality on a final project when paired with a Black immigrant partner compared to a Black American partner, and this effect is driven by perceptions that Black immigrants are higher status than Black Americans. Findings reveal that the consequences of perceived foreignness may take a unique form for Black individuals in the U.S. Understanding how groups are differentially affected by perceptions of foreignness is crucial for identifying when and why groups are most likely to encounter discrimination.