Interracial and Same-race Couples: Perceptions of Warmth and Competence

Research suggests that individuals in interracial relationships have different experiences and are perceived differently than individuals in same-race relationships. Stereotypes provide information relevant to intergroup dynamics that may explain differences in perceptions and experiences of these individuals. Two studies examined White research participants’ perceptions of interracial and same-race couples. In both studies, participants read profiles of potential adoptive couples and rated the warmth, competence, and perceived similarity to themselves of both members of the couple. In Study 1, perceptions of White and Asian interracial couples were examined. White research participants perceived the Asian male/White female couples to be higher in combined warmth and competence, as compared to White male/Asian female, Asian same-race, and White same-race couples. In Study 2, White same-race, White male/Black female, Black, male/White female, and Black same-race couples were perceived no differently on warmth competence, or similarity. In both studies, higher levels of perceived similarity to the participant were positively related to higher ratings of warmth and competence, which suggests that perceived similarity may play an important role in the formation of perceptions of interracial and same-race couples.