Human caregivers perceive racial bias in their pet dogs. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, Carlee Beth; Vandiver, Alexia Jo
• Other Names: Dhont Kristof guest-editor.; Hodson Gordon guest-editor.; Loughnan Steve guest-editor.; Amiot Catherine E. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Group processes and intergroup relations. Volume 22:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 901
• Page End: 917
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: automatic bias -- dogs -- implicit attitudes -- pets -- prejudice -- racial bias -- stereotypes; Intergroup relations -- Periodicals; Social groups -- Periodicals; 302.305
• DOI: 10.1177/1368430218824656
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4302

Abstract

Is there any empirical support for the popular stereotype that dogs are racist? As an initial inquiry into this question, we investigated whether human caregivers perceive racial bias in the behavior of their pet dogs. In 2 studies, caretakers completed explicit and implicit measures of racial preference and reported their dogs' behavior toward White and Black people. White caretakers reported that their dogs displayed more positive behaviors toward White than Black people, and these reports of dog behaviors were significantly correlated with caretakers' own explicit and implicit racial preferences. Increased interracial contact was associated with less reported pro-White dog behavior. Humans perceive racial biases in those around us, including our pets.