A Comparison of the Experiences of Dominant and Minority Group Members during an Intergroup Encounter

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Abstract
Focusing on the immediate effects of the intergroup situation on participants' anxiety, affect, cognitions, and task involvement, comparisons were made between the experiences of minority group members (African-Americans) and dominant group members (European-Americans) during intergroup encounters of varied group composition (i.e. participants held either solo or non-solo status). The group composition manipulation had very little effect overall. However, regardless of group composition, European-American participants were more adversely affected than African-American participants, as evidenced by cognitive and task involvement variables. African-American participants' experiences may have been less adverse due to their greater intergroup experience and more effective use of intergroup coping strategies such as mindfulness.