Race and Stereotypes Discussion

[Monicarodr]

Neural Correlates of Race
Perception
Monica Rodriguez
This week we focused on studies that have used neuroimaging and
electrophysiological measures to examine the neural mechanisms
associated with racial categorization and stereotyping. These studies
have identified the following brain activity involved in race
perception
1. Areas of face perception when faces processed differ in race, the
fusiform gyrus and posterior cingulated cortex
2. Brain activity of ERP components sensitive to racial ingroup/
outgroup categorizations (timing of race perception)
3. Amygdala and insula activity and their activation in the affective
evaluation of faces, the automatic activation of race, and in implicit
tasks, of prejudice
4. Areas of behavior regulation associated with controlled processing
of race, such as the anterior cingulated cortex, dorsolateral and
ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
1. Camille’s review of Golby et al shows us shows us that in a study
of only males (only a few Europea(EA) and African American males (AA))
there was increased FFA activation when perceiving same-race faces and
hyppocampal activity was also correlated with superior memory for same
race faces. As Camille points out, EA and AA had equal activation of
EA faces, but AA had higher activation of AA faces. So, she asks, is
it more advantageous for minorities to pay attention to the faces of
others, since they are more likely to be in the outgroup? ** see my
final point**
2. Jen and Stuart’s reviews refer to the second point. In Amodio et
al, and Correll event-related potentials were used to examine the
temporal aspects of race-biased responses. When primed with Black
faces, Whites make faster associations between “Black and guns” than
“Black and tools” (see Stuart’s description), or participants shoot
armed targets more quickly when they are Black than when they are
White (see Jen’s). Early ERP’s are the reflection of racial
differentiation and racial bias. This set of articles I find more
direct because they address a very specific social problem without
having to make general assumptions about race perception, and they
test a specific model (which I will refer in point 4).
3. Jenny’s review of Phelps’ research and Lindsay’s review of the
Amodio et al’s refer to the third point, the affective, automatic,
social evaluation, involved in race perception, where the primary ROI
is the amygdala. As both point out, it is assumed that Black faces
evoke negative emotional
evaluations in Whites due to societal norms and individual experiences
(racism?). Both Jenny and Lindsay also refer to the discussion of
results in the context of such small N’s, and to the selectivity in
interpreting the evidence as negative evaluations as opposed to
unfamiliarity or mere in-out group biases. I hope we will refer in our
discussion today to the biases when interpreting results as evidence
of one’s own theories.

4. In Stuart’s review we come back to social cognitive processing as
a two-step process in which an automatic, conflict-detection system,
is constantly monitoring possibly competing responses and it is
reflected in higher ACC activity. If there are sufficient cognitive
resources, or there are no time pressures imposed, the behavioral
regulatory system, implements intended responses while inhibiting
unintended ones (e.g., race-bias).
This to me is the heart of the matter with these studies. We are not
just talking about “same or other race” face processes in any race on
the planet, but we are examining people in the US at this time in age
when Blacks are at a group disadvantage with respect to Whites. This
specific social process may or may not manifest in the same way in
places where there are no such distinctions, or where race is not an
issue. Therefore, we could expect brain processes to 1) not be
universally applied to race sensitivity 2) be reflective of a more
basic process

[matt gailliot]

Interested in getting lunch or dinner this week, or perhaps next? Let me know.

 

Matt

[Stuart Daman]

So sorry, I'm out of town until late next week.
We'll have to catch up later.
Stuart

[Monica L. Rodriguez]

Matt, what a nice idea! I am out of town until the 19th, but could make it any time after that during that week.

Cheers,

Monica