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aversive racism

a form of racial prejudice felt by individuals who outwardly endorse egalitarian attitudes and values but nonetheless experience negative emotions in the presence of members of certain racial groups, particularly in ambiguous circumstances. For example, if a White employer who supports equality nonetheless favors White candidates over Black candidates in job interviews when all the individuals’ qualifications for the position are unclear, then he or she is demonstrating aversive racism. See also modern racism.

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Psychology term of the day

November 17th 2024

mother figure

mother figure

1. a person who occupies the mothering role in relation to a child: a mother surrogate.

2. in psychoanalytic theory, a person onto whom the patient transfers feelings and attitudes that he or she had toward the real mother or the primary caregiver. Also called mother substitute.