Effects of self-observation during online intergroup interaction

What is it about?

Our research shows that when persons of color interact with a White individual online with their self-view setting enabled, this leads them to feel viewed through the lens of their race. Specifically, they feel that their race is a bigger part of how their interaction partner sees them than of how they think about themselves. This discrepancy between how they perceive they are viewed and how they see themselves predicts less powerful interaction behavior (e.g., speaking more quietly and being less expressive). No such effects are evident for their White interaction partner.

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Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Why is it important?

These findings suggest a way in which self-observation during online interaction (as compared to in-person interaction, or online interaction with self-view off) might uniquely disadvantage persons of color. They may thus inform consideration of the costs and benefits of different interaction formats for diverse groups in society.