Date of Award
June 2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
Advisor(s)
Laura V. Machia
Keywords
Interracial Relationships, Perspective Taking, Self-Expansion
Subject Categories
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Like all relationships, interracial relationships can satisfy our human need for interpersonal
bonds, but have additional challenges that same-race relationships do not face (e.g., discrimination). Interracial couples are more likely to break-up compared to same-race couples. However, many interracial couples prevail in the face of adversity. To understand why some interracial relationships prevail despite their challenges, I will examine processes that might buffer against the negativity of discrimination to lead to better relationship quality post discrimination. Specifically, I predict that White individuals who are able to take their partner’s perspective when experiencing discrimination will experience greater self- expansion and less self-adulteration in their relationship than those who fail to perspective take. In turn, greater self-expansion and less self-adulteration will be associated with increased relationship quality.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Caselli, Abigail, "Discrimination is not just Black and White in Romantic Relationships: A Consideration of Perspective Taking and Self-Expansion" (2019). Theses - ALL. 345.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/345
