A Vicious Cycle: A Social–Psychological Account of Extreme Racial Disparities in School Discipline. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Okonofua, Jason A.; Walton, Gregory M.; Eberhardt, Jennifer L.
• Is Part Of: Perspectives on psychological science. Volume 11:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 381
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: teacher–student relationships -- school discipline -- race disparity; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1177/1745691616635592
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-6916

Abstract

Can social–psychological theory provide insight into the extreme racial disparities in school disciplinary action in the United States? Disciplinary problems carry enormous consequences for the quality of students' experience in school, opportunities to learn, and ultimate life outcomes. This burden falls disproportionately on students of color. Integrating research on stereotyping and on stigma, we theorized that bias and apprehension about bias can build on one another in school settings in a vicious cycle that undermines teacher–student relationships over time and exacerbates inequality. This approach is more comprehensive than accounts in which the predicaments of either teachers or students are considered alone rather than in tandem, it complements nonpsychological approaches, and it gives rise to novel implications for policy and intervention. It also extends prior research on bias and stigmatization to provide a model for understanding the social–psychological bases of inequality more generally.