A social, cognitive, neuroscience observation of racial prejudice

This study examined 5 indicators and 2 possible root causes of the remnants of racial prejudice for both Black and White Americans. The 5 indicators were use of stereotypes and racial identity, preference, feelings, and attitudes. The 2 possible root causes were racial fear and self-esteem. All were examined by 4 demographic variables: race, gender, age, and level of education. This quantitative study used the survey research method for the 132 participants. Using 8 standardized tests, measures of racial prejudice were taken at the explicit and implicit levels of consciousness, including behavior and brain activity. The mixed nature of the findings indicated that racial prejudice is a complex and continuing phenomenon for both races; the extent of which varied by the 4 demographic variables. Racial stereotypes were used most by White males and least by Black females, and inconsistencies were found between explicit and implicit use of stereotypes. Both racial groups favored their own racial ingroup; however, Whites showed a more positive attitude towards both races. Blacks showed a higher level of self-esteem than Whites. Black males showed a fear of both Black and White male faces, Black females showed a fear of White male faces, and young Black males showed a link between fear and prejudice. Three of the 4 hypotheses were rejected---mostly by young, less-educated White males and highly-educated, middle-aged Black females; both groups of whom showed the most extreme scores and, at times, contradictory to their respective ingroups. There were both contradictions and affirmations by both races. Race alone was not a reliable predictor of racial prejudice; gender, age, and level of education impacted it as much as, if not more, than race. Such evidence confirmed that the remnants of racial prejudice continue to persist at an unconscious level, even when they are less noticeable on a conscious level. There is, indeed, a gap between what both Blacks and Whites think and feel about race and how they behave.