Assessing the speed, spontaneity, and robustness of racial bias in pain perception

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Mende-Siedlecki ◽  
Azaadeh Goharzad ◽  
Aizihaer Tuerxuntuoheti ◽  
Patrick Gilbert Mercado Reyes ◽  
Jingrun Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Perception ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Diagnostic Information ◽  
Racial Stereotypes ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Pain Experience ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Controlled Processing ◽  
Low Load ◽  
Other Information

A growing body of evidence demonstrates that perceivers recognize painful expressions less readily on Black (compared to white) faces. However, it is unclear whether this bias occurs independent of controlled processing (for example, the deliberate engagement of racial stereotypes) and whether this bias is still observed when other diagnostic information (e.g., self-reported pain experience) is available. Across five experiments we examined the speed, spontaneity, and robustness of racial bias in pain perception. First, we observed that racial bias in pain perception was still evident under minimal presentation conditions (as brief as 33ms) and was most apparent for ambiguous (versus high intensity) pain expressions (Exp. 1). Next, we manipulated the amount of cognitive load participants were under while viewing and rating Black and white faces in varying degrees of pain (Exps. 2A-B). Here, we observed that perceivers had more stringent thresholds for seeing pain on Black (versus white) faces regardless of whether participants were under high (versus low) load. Finally, we examined whether this bias would persist when participants were also provided with other information regarding targets’ pain – specifically, self-reported pain experience (Exps. 3A-B). While self-report information reduced perceivers’ thresholds for seeing pain overall, racial bias in pain perception was not reliably moderated by self-reported pain experience. Together, these data demonstrate that racial bias in pain perception occurs automatically, based on minimal visual input, and above and beyond other diagnostic information.

Seeing no pain: Assessing the generalizability of racial bias in pain perception

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Mende-Siedlecki ◽  
Jingrun Lin ◽  
Sloan Ferron ◽  
Christopher Gibbons ◽  
Alexis Drain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Recognition ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Racial Stereotypes ◽  
Total N ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Black Faces

Previous work demonstrates that racial disparities in pain care may stem, in part, from perceptual roots. It remains unresolved, however, whether this perceptual gap is driven by general deficits in intergroup emotion recognition, endorsement of specific racial stereotypes, or an interaction between the two. We conducted four experiments (total N = 635) assessing relationships between biases in pain perception and treatment with biases in the perception of anger, happiness, fear, and sadness. Participants saw Black and White targets making increasingly painful and angry (Experiment 1), happy (Experiment 2), fearful (Experiment 3), or sad expressions (Experiment 4). The effect of target race consistently varied based on the emotion presented. Participants consistently saw pain more readily on White (versus Black) faces. However, while the perception of sadness was also disrupted on Black faces, the perception of anger, fear, and happiness did not vary by target race. Moreover, the tendency to see pain less readily on Black faces predicted similar disruptions in recognizing (particularly negative) expressions, though only racial bias in pain perception facilitated similar biases in treatment. Finally, while endorsement of racial stereotypes about threat facilitated recognition of angry expressions and impeded recognition of happy expressions on Black faces, gaps in pain perception were not reliably related to stereotype endorsement. These data suggest that while racial bias in pain perception is associated with general disruptions in recognizing negative emotion on Black faces, the effects of target race on pain perception are particularly robust and have distinct consequences for gaps in treatment recommendations.

Masks and racial stereotypes in a pandemic: the case for surgical masks

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Leah Christiani ◽  
Christopher J. Clark ◽  
Steven Greene ◽  
Marc J. Hetherington ◽  
Emily M. Wager
Keyword(s):  
Black People ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
White Male ◽  
Elevated Risk ◽  
Racial Stereotypes ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Racial Resentment ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Male Model

Abstract To contain the spread of COVID-19, experts emphasize the importance of wearing masks. Unfortunately, this practice may put black people at elevated risk for being seen as potential threats by some Americans. In this study, we evaluate whether and how different types of masks affect perceptions of black and white male models. We find that non-black respondents perceive a black male model as more threatening and less trustworthy when he is wearing a bandana or a cloth mask than when he is not wearing his face covering—especially those respondents who score above average in racial resentment, a common measure of racial bias. When he is wearing a surgical mask, however, they do not perceive him as more threatening or less trustworthy. Further, it is not that non-black respondents find bandana and cloth masks problematic in general. In fact, the white model in our study is perceived more positively when he is wearing all types of face coverings. Although mandated mask wearing is an ostensibly race-neutral policy, our findings demonstrate the potential implications are not.

Racial Bias in Perceptions of Size and Strength: The Impact of Stereotypes and Group Differences

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Johnson ◽  
John Paul Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Racial Bias ◽  
Racial Stereotypes ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Real Group ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
The Impact

Recent research has shown that race can influence perceptions of men’s size and strength. Across two studies (Study 1: N = 1,032, Study 2: N = 303) examining men and women from multiple racial groups (Asian, Black, and White adults), we found that although race does impact judgments of size and strength, raters’ judgments primarily track targets’ objective physical features. In some cases, racial stereotypes actually improved group-level accuracy, as these stereotypes aligned with racial-group differences in size and strength according to nationally representative data. We conclude that individuals primarily rely on individuating information when making physical judgments but do not completely discount racial stereotypes, which reflect a combination of real group-level differences and culturally transmitted beliefs.

What factors fuel racial bias in pain perception and treatment?: A meta-analysis across 40 experimental studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingrun Lin ◽  
Alexis Drain ◽  
Azaadeh Goharzad ◽  
Peter Mende-Siedlecki
Keyword(s):  
Pain Perception ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Group Membership ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Pain Care ◽  
Black Faces ◽  
Shed Light

Racial disparities in pain care may be linked to a perceptual source: perceivers see pain less readily on Black (versus white) faces. We conducted an internal meta-analysis (40 studies; N=6252) to assess the generalizability, robustness, and psychological bases of this phenomenon. Meta-analysis strongly confirmed race-based gaps in pain perception and treatment. Moreover, bias in perception consistently facilitated bias in treatment. These effects were robust to differences in stimuli, samples, and perceiver gender and race. Notably, both Black and white perceivers showed a tendency to see pain less readily on Black faces, suggesting this bias is not merely a consequence of group membership. Further, increased dehumanization of and decreased intergroup contact with Black individuals was associated with racial bias in pain perception and treatment, though these effects were small. These results demonstrate the robustness of perceptual contributions to racial pain disparities and shed light on potential targets for future intervention.

Interactive Effects of Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Pain Persistence on Suicide Attempt Frequency and Lethality

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 413-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Rogers ◽  
Thomas E. Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Affective Disturbance ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Acute suicidal affective disturbance (ASAD) has been proposed as a suicide-specific entity that confers risk for imminent suicidal behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests that ASAD is associated with suicidal behavior beyond a number of factors; however, no study to date has examined potential moderating variables.  Aims: The present study tested the hypotheses that physical pain persistence would moderate the relationship between ASAD and (1) lifetime suicide attempts and (2) attempt lethality. Method: Students ( N = 167) with a history of suicidality completed self-report measures assessing the lifetime worst-point ASAD episode and the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt, a clinical interview about attempt lethality, and a physical pain tolerance task. Results: Physical pain persistence was a significant moderator of the association between ASAD and lifetime suicide attempts ( B = 0.00001, SE = 0.000004, p = .032), such that the relationship between ASAD and suicide attempts strengthened at increasing levels of pain persistence. The interaction between ASAD and pain persistence in relation to attempt lethality was nonsignificant ( B = 0.000004, SE = 0.00001, p = .765). Limitations: This study included a cross-sectional/retrospective analysis of worst-point ASAD symptoms, current physical pain perception, and lifetime suicide attempts. Conclusion: ASAD may confer risk for suicidal behavior most strongly at higher levels of pain persistence, whereas ASAD and pain perception do not influence attempt lethality.

Dimensionality and Reliability Assessment of the Pain Patient Profile Questionnaire

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian E. McGuire ◽  
Michael J. Hogan ◽  
Todd G. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Self Report ◽  
Pain Patient ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Oblique Rotation ◽  
Pain Experience ◽  
Patient Profile ◽  
Adequate Representation ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Report Measure

Abstract. Objective: To factor analyze the Pain Patient Profile questionnaire (P3; Tollison & Langley, 1995 ), a self-report measure of emotional distress in respondents with chronic pain. Method: An unweighted least squares factor analysis with oblique rotation was conducted on the P3 scores of 160 pain patients to look for evidence of three distinct factors (i.e., Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization). Results: Fit indices suggested that three distinct factors, accounting for 32.1%, 7.0%, and 5.5% of the shared variance, provided an adequate representation of the data. However, inspection of item groupings revealed that this structure did not map onto the Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization division purportedly represented by the P3. Further, when the analysis was re-run, eliminating items that failed to meet salience criteria, a two-factor solution emerged, with Factor 1 representing a mixture of Depression and Anxiety items and Factor 2 denoting Somatization. Each of these factors correlated significantly with a subsample's assessment of pain intensity. Conclusion: Results were not congruent with the P3's suggested tripartite model of pain experience and indicate that modifications to the scale may be required.

The Contribution of Static and Dynamic Factors to Recidivism Prediction for Black and White Youth Offenders

2021 ◽  
pp. 0306624X2110226
Author(s):  
William T. Miller ◽  
Christina A. Campbell ◽  
Jordan Papp ◽  
Ebony Ruhland
Keyword(s):  
Racial Bias ◽  
Black Youth ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
White Youth ◽  
Youth Offenders ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Dynamic Factors ◽  
Recidivism Prediction ◽  
The Individual

Scholars have presented concerns about potential for racial bias in risk assessments as a result of the inclusion of static factors, such as criminal history in risk assessments. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which static factors add incremental validity to the dynamic factors in criminogenic risk assessments. This study examined the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) in a sample of 1,270 youth offenders from a medium-sized Midwestern county between June 2004 and November 2013. Logistic regression was used to determine the predictive validity of the YLS/CMI and the individual contribution of static and dynamic domains of the assessment. Results indicated that the static domain differentially predicted recidivism for Black and White youth. In particular, the static domain was a significant predictor of recidivism for White youth, but this was not the case for Black youth. The dynamic domain significantly predicted recidivism for both Black and White offenders, and static risk factors improved prediction of recidivism for White youth, but not for Black youth.

scholarly journals Can Residential Greenspace Exposure Improve Pain Experience? A Comparison between Physical Visit and Image Viewing

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 918
Author(s):  
Hansen Li ◽  
Xing Zhang ◽  
Shilin Bi ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Guodong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
State Anxiety ◽  
Pain Threshold ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
The State ◽  
Subjective Stress ◽  
Pain Experience ◽  
Scenic Beauty ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pain Stimuli

Reducing the burden of pain via greenspace exposure is a rising research topic. However, insufficient evidence has been found in relation to the environmental effect itself. Residential greenspace, as a convenient but limited natural environment for urban dwellers, has benefits and services yet to be discovered. Therefore, the current study recruited 24 young adults to evaluate the effects of physical visit to, or image viewing of, residential greenspace on pain perception and related psychophysiological outcomes, via simulated pain. Pain threshold and tolerance were recorded via the level of pain stimuli, and pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The state scale of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) and two adjective pairs were employed to measure the state anxiety and subjective stress, respectively. Meanwhile, heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) were measured to investigate physiological responses. Besides, Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) was also employed to assess participants’ preference regarding the experimental environments. The results revealed that visiting the greenspace significantly increased the pain threshold and tolerance, while no significant effect was observed for image viewing. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in pain-related psychophysiological indices between the experimental settings, but significantly negative associations were found between the scores of SBE and subjective stress and state anxiety. In conclusion, the current study brings experimental evidence of improving pain experience via residential greenspace exposure, while the related psychophysiological benefits require further investigation.

scholarly journals Black and White Lies: Race-Based Biases in Deception Judgments

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1125-1136 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Paige Lloyd ◽  
Kurt Hugenberg ◽  
Allen R. McConnell ◽  
Jonathan W. Kunstman ◽  
Jason C. Deska
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Eye Tracking ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Racial Bias ◽  
Lie Detection ◽  
Intergroup Communication ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Truth Bias ◽  
Practical Implications

In six studies ( N = 605), participants made deception judgments about videos of Black and White targets who told truths and lies about interpersonal relationships. In Studies 1a, 1b, 1c, and 2, White participants judged that Black targets were telling the truth more often than they judged that White targets were telling the truth. This truth bias was predicted by Whites’ motivation to respond without prejudice. For Black participants, however, motives to respond without prejudice did not moderate responses (Study 2). In Study 3, we found similar effects with a manipulation of the targets’ apparent race. Finally, in Study 4, we used eye-tracking techniques to demonstrate that Whites’ truth bias for Black targets is likely the result of late-stage correction processes: Despite ultimately judging that Black targets were telling the truth more often than White targets, Whites were faster to fixate on the on-screen “lie” response box when targets were Black than when targets were White. These systematic race-based biases have important theoretical implications (e.g., for lie detection and improving intergroup communication and relations) and practical implications (e.g., for reducing racial bias in law enforcement).

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