Detecting biracial identity strength: Perceived phenotypicality is inaccurate

Past work on Black and Latinx individuals demonstrates that observers can accurately predict an individual’s racial identity strength based on the observers’ perceptions of the individual’s phenotypic prototypicality (how much someone looks like a prototypical member of their racial group). However, the growing Biracial demographic varies considerably in racial identification, suggesting a monoracial approach to infer racial identity strength may not translate to Biracial individuals. In three studies, Biracial Black/White participants were photographed and completed a racial identity strength scale. Subsequently, we had raters judge the Biracial targets’ phenotypic prototypicality and perceived levels racial identity strength. Overall, perceivers could not accurately predict Biracial individuals’ racial identity strength via their phenotypic prototypicality.

Duke Scholars

Author Sarah Elizabeth Gaither Psychology & Neuroscience