Identity Safety Cues in the Context of Confronting Prejudice: Black Americans’ and Asian Americans’ Perceptions of Identity Threat and Ally Sincerity

Abstract

Environmental identity safety cues (ISCs), such as safe space posters, are used to signal support for marginalized groups. While environmental ISCs increase belonging and reduce identity threat, less is known about how they function alongside higher-cost ISCs such as prejudice confrontations. Across two experimental studies with Black Americans (n = 272), and Asian Americans (n = 279), we examined how environmental ISCs and confrontations jointly shape perceptions of Identity Threat and Ally Sincerity using a 2 (ISC: Present, Absent) × 2 (Confrontation: Present, Absent) between-subjects design. Results revealed that while ISCs can reduce Identity Threat and increase Ally Sincerity, prejudice confrontations are more consistent and effective. Additionally, there is no evidence for a backlash effect whereby having an ISC without a confrontation is worse than doing nothing. Results suggest US racial minorities value confrontations and environmental ISCs, highlighting the importance of using both high- and low-cost prejudice reduction strategies.