The Impact of Cross-Race Social Contact on the Perception of Multiracial Individuals

Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0002-6230-3800

Degree Year

2025

Document Type

Thesis - Oberlin Community Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Rebecca Totton

Committee Member(s)

Rebecca Totton
Cindy Frantz
Danielle Godon-Decoteau

Abstract

Previous research has drawn conflicting conclusions about how multiracial people are categorized racially and socially. Many studies have used computer-generated blends of two monoracial faces or asked participants to imagine a multiracial person instead of using photographs of real multiracial people. Furthermore, Latine populations have been particularly underrepresented as both participants and perceived individuals. To address these gaps, the present study administered an online survey to Hispanic and Latine American participants to assess their racial and social perceptions of fully Latine, multiracial Asian/Latine, and multiracial Black/Latine faces. They were also asked their perceived level of social contact with different racial groups. Regression analysis found that, overall, racially ambiguous faces were rated as warmer and more competent. However, these effects were primarily driven by the Asian/Latine faces and the faces participants perceived as being Latine. Contact with Latine and multiracial individuals generally predicted higher perceived warmth and competence; However, contact with Black individuals specifically improved impressions of Black/Latine faces. Contact with any specific racial group did not predict the racial categorizations assigned to the faces, however multiracial participants were more likely to classify the faces as multiracial. These results suggest a significant, contextual impact of racial ambiguity and cross-racial contact on social perception, as the effect depended on actual and perceived racial identity of the faces. The findings demonstrate the need to consider how the intersections between specific identities and experiences impact racial perception.

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