Preprint

Microaggressions: Clarification, Evidence, and Impact

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [What does this mean?].

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Williams, Monnica

Other kind(s) of contributor

University of Connecticut

Abstract / Description

In a 2017 article in Perspectives on Psychological Science, Scott Lilienfeld critiqued the conceptual basis for microaggressions as well as the scientific rigor of scholarship on the topic. The current article provides a response that systematically analyzes the arguments and representations made in Lilienfeld’s critique with regard to the concept of microaggressions and the state of the related research. I show that, in contrast to the claim that the concept of microaggressions is vague and inconsistent, the term is well defined and can be decisively linked to individual prejudice in offenders and mental-health outcomes in targets. I explain how the concept of microaggressions is connected to pathological stereotypes, power structures, structural racism, and multiple forms of racial prejudice. Also described are recent research advances that address some of Lilienfeld’s original critiques. Further, this article highlights potentially problematic attitudes, assumptions, and approaches embedded in Lilienfeld’s analysis that are common to the field of psychology as a whole. It is important for all academics to acknowledge and question their own biases and perspectives when conducting scientific research.
This is a preprint of: Williams, M. T. (in press). Microaggressions: Clarification, evidence, and impact. Perspectives on Psychological Science. doi: 10.1177/1745691619827499.

Keyword(s)

microaggressions racism validity ethnic differences diversity education

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2019

Publisher

PsychArchives

Is version of

Citation

Williams, M. (2019). Microaggressions: Clarification, Evidence, and Impact. PsychArchives. https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2506
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Williams, Monnica
  • Other kind(s) of contributor
    University of Connecticut
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2019-06-24T11:27:52Z
  • Made available on
    2019-06-24T11:27:52Z
  • Date of first publication
    2019
  • Submission date
    2018-06-27
  • Abstract / Description
    In a 2017 article in Perspectives on Psychological Science, Scott Lilienfeld critiqued the conceptual basis for microaggressions as well as the scientific rigor of scholarship on the topic. The current article provides a response that systematically analyzes the arguments and representations made in Lilienfeld’s critique with regard to the concept of microaggressions and the state of the related research. I show that, in contrast to the claim that the concept of microaggressions is vague and inconsistent, the term is well defined and can be decisively linked to individual prejudice in offenders and mental-health outcomes in targets. I explain how the concept of microaggressions is connected to pathological stereotypes, power structures, structural racism, and multiple forms of racial prejudice. Also described are recent research advances that address some of Lilienfeld’s original critiques. Further, this article highlights potentially problematic attitudes, assumptions, and approaches embedded in Lilienfeld’s analysis that are common to the field of psychology as a whole. It is important for all academics to acknowledge and question their own biases and perspectives when conducting scientific research.
    en_US
  • Abstract / Description
    This is a preprint of: Williams, M. T. (in press). Microaggressions: Clarification, evidence, and impact. Perspectives on Psychological Science. doi: 10.1177/1745691619827499.
  • Publication status
    other
  • Review status
    notReviewed
  • Citation
    Williams, M. (2019). Microaggressions: Clarification, Evidence, and Impact. PsychArchives. https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2506
    en
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/2130
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2506
  • Language of content
    eng
    en_US
  • Publisher
    PsychArchives
    en_US
  • Is version of
    http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1745691619827499
  • Is related to
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691619827499
  • Keyword(s)
    microaggressions
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    racism
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    validity
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    ethnic differences
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    diversity
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    education
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Microaggressions: Clarification, Evidence, and Impact
    en_US
  • DRO type
    preprint
    en_US
  • Leibniz subject classification
    Psychology