Culture

Canadian study finds people 'indifferent' to overt racism

by mtammas | January 8, 2009 at 03:59 pm

988 views | 38 Recommendations | 3 comments

Not only are people indifferent to racism when they witness it, but some will agree with the racist according to the findings of a new Canadian study published in the latest edition of Science.

Toronto's York University study revealed that while people think they may be upset when confronted with racism, and would take action to combat it, in reality they don't. In fact, their reactions are benign.

The study involved 120 York University students and included researchers from the University of British Columbia. Volunteers were subject to direct or indirect experiences with varying degrees of racist behaviour.

Not only did people fail to react the way they predicated they would when faced with racism, many preferred the white racist over the black person who was the target of a slur.

Lead author Kerry Kawakami, a psychology professor at York University's faculty of health said that people don't really punish those who act in a racist manner.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Uwe Paschen

at 20:00 on January 8th, 2009

I am actually some what surprised to read this. I am well aware that Racism, may it be colour , ethnical or religious even nationalism could falls under that category is existing and even in probably up to 40% of the population even though not always expressed openly due to laws and standards established over time. However I do thing that does numbers are a little to high and may have to do with the wording of the questions asked. The Pictures are US pictures and not Canadian in your post. some what misleading.

Karen Hatter

at 20:33 on January 8th, 2009

Almost a year ago, ScienceDave contributed this article that would seem to be a companion piece, which outlines possible perceptual causes for racism.