Date of Award:

5-2017

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Melanie M. Domenech Rodriquez

Committee

Melanie M. Domenech Rodriquez

Committee

Scott C. Bates

Committee

Renee V. Galliher

Committee

Donna Gilbertson

Committee

Eduardo Ortiz

Abstract

Scholars have strongly suggested that to combat microaggressions and their impact on persons of color, there needs to be an increased awareness and ability to detect microaggressions when they occur. There is limited research on how to practically address these concerns. This study examined the efficacy of a multimedia intervention aimed at increasing White individuals’ ability to accurately detect microaggressions. The high-exposure intervention was compared against two other conditions, low-exposure and control, at pre-, post-, and 1-week follow-up from intervention.

Undergraduate university students were recruited from two predominantly white universities (PWU). Participants watched a series of videos to determine if racial and ethnic microaggressions were present in the videos and completed self-report questionnaires assessing colorblindness.

The high-exposure intervention condition did not demonstrate any significant change from pre- to post- intervention detection rates. There was no significant change from pre- to post-intervention to 1-week follow-up detection rates between conditions. Post-hoc analyses regarding colorblindness indicated a significant decrease in Colorblind Racial Attitudes Scale CoBRAS total score from pre-intervention to post-intervention across all participants indicating a decrease in overall colorblindness. There was a significant decrease in Unawareness of Racial Privilege scores from pre-intervention to post-intervention across participants indicating an increased awareness of racial privilege. Awareness of institutional discrimination and blatant racial discrimination did not shift significantly pre- to post- intervention. Interpretations and implications of the findings, strengths and limitations of the study, and future directions are discussed.

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