Correlational study on implicit and explicit prejudice and discrimination in a Magellan sample

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to learn the way in which prejudice is shown towards individuals of native origin (Mapuche) in the Magellan region in Chile. The subtle and blatant prejudice scale by Pettigrew and Meertens (1995) was adapted as well as the experiment by Snyder, Kleck, Strenta and Mentzer (1979), and both were used to observe different expression of prejudice in ambiguous situations. The sample, intentional non-probabilistic, was made up of university students (N=63). The results show the presence of more subtle than blatant prejudice, but they do not show differences between the conditions studied. When comparing high and low overall prejudice in their behaviour during the experiment, it was observed that those who discriminated against in an ambiguous situation showed more prejudice towards the Mapuche people than those who did in an explicit situation. Possible implications of these findings are discussed in the context of intergroup relations and social desirability.