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Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, Vol. 7, No. 4, 354-369 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1368430204046143
© 2004 SAGE Publications

Perceived Reactions to Interracial Romantic Relationships: When Race is Used as a Cue to Status

Suzanne C. Miller

Ohio State University, smiller{at}psy.ohio-state.edu

Michael A. Olson

Ohio State University, olson.127{at}osu.edu

Russell H. Fazio

Ohio State University

Two studies examined the hypothesis that race, by serving as an indicator of status, more strongly affects prejudice against females’ romantic relationships than males’. In Study 1, participants reported on an interracial romantic relationship about which close others disapproved. Consistent with evolutionary and social structural theories of mate selection, non-White males indicated more disapproval from their White female partners’ friends and family than all other combinations of race and gender. In Study 2, White females reported more anticipated disapproval for dating members of low status groups than did White males. Moreover, White females anticipated greater disapproval for dating non-Whites, but only if they perceived their parents as prejudiced. Evolutionary and social structural explanations for these findings are discussed.

Key Words: mate selection • racial prejudice

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