Microaggressions
Diversity Dialogues
Heather Jones, Ph.D., and Paul Perrin, Ph.D.
Microaggressions
Everyday verbal, nonverbal, and
environmental slights, snubs, or insults,
whether intentional or unintentional, that
communicate hostile, derogatory, or
negative messages to target persons
based solely upon their marginalized
group membership.
Sue et al., 2007
Examples?
• Verbal
• Non-verbal
• Environmental
Themes
• Ascription of intelligence
• Second class citizen
• Pathologizing cultural
values and/or
communication styles
• Ascription of criminal
status
•
•
•
•
Alien in own land
Color blindness
Myth of meritocracy
Denial of individual racism
Example: “Alien in own land”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crAv5ttax2I
Rewrite
• Choose example microaggressions from four of
the themes.
• Rewrite each in a way that doesn’t contain a
hidden or negative message.
Cognitive demands/critical incident table
Microaggression:
Theme:
Underlying message:
Better way to convey same message:
Which perspective is this from?
 Perpetrator
 Victim
 Bystander
Contextual considerations:
 What were the conditions before,
during, and after the incident?
 What is the nature of the
relationship?
 Other:
Cues and strategies used:
 Body language
 Tone of voice
 Other:
Unsuccessful outcome:
 How did this prevent the
perpetrator from reaching his/her
goal?
 What could/did s/he do to make
amends?
Successful outcome:
 Why was this successful?
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Critiques of microaggressions theory
In pairs, discuss at least three critiques from your
pre-class reading of microaggressions theory.
Share one with larger group.
What to do
Reflection
References
Card, S. T., Moran, T. P., & Newell, A. (1983). The psychology of human-computer interaction. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Clay, R. A. (2017). Did you really just say that? APA Monitor on Psychology, 48(1), 46.
Constantine, M. G. (2007). Racial microaggressions against African American clients in cross-racial counseling relationships.
Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(1), 1-16.
Flanagan, J. C. (1954). The critical incident method. Psychological Bulletin, 51, 327-358.
Francis, D. (1997). Critical incident analysis: A strategy for developing reflective practice. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and
Practice, 3(2), 169-188.
Haidt, J. (2017). The unwisest idea on campus: Commentary on Lilienfeld. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(1), 176177.
Hubbard, R. R., Snipes, D. J., Perrin, P. B., Morgan, M. R., DeJesus, A., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2013). Themes in heterosexuals’
responses when challenging LGBT prejudice. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 10(4), 269-278.
References… (continued)
Lilienfeld, S. O. (2017). Microaggressions: Strong claims, inadequate evidence. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12(1),
138-169.
Lilienfeld, S. O. (2017). Through a glass, darkly: Microaggressions and psychological science. Perspectives on Psychological
Science, 12(1), 178-180.
Miranda, K. (2013). Racial microaggressions and the therapeutic encounter: A qualitative study on the exploration of the
intersection in a cross-racial dyad with white clinicians and clients who are second-generation Asian and Latina American women
of color (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Dissertations. (50)
Ong, A. D., & Burrow, A. L. (2017). Microaggressions and daily experience: Depicting life as it is lived. Perspectives on
Psychological Science, 12(1), 173-175.
Steele, C. M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance of African Americans. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 69(5), 797-811.
Sue, D. W. (2017). Microaggressions and “evidence:” Empirical or experiential reality? Perspectives on Psychological Science,
12(1), 170-172.
References… (continued)
Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions and marginality: Manifestation, dynamics, and impact. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in everyday life: Race, gender, and sexual orientation. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Holder, & Aisha, M. B. (2008). Racial microaggressions in the life experience of Black Americans.
Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(3), 329-336.
Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M. B., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial
microaggressions in everyday life: Implications for clinical practice. American Psychologist, 62(4), 271-286.
Vella, J. (2014). On teaching and learning: Putting the principles and practices of dialogue education into action. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons.
Williams, L. (2002). It’s the little things: Everyday interactions that anger, annoy, and divide the races. New York: Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt.
Yosso, T. J., Smith, W. A., Ceja, M., & Solórzano, D. G. (2009). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial
climate for Latina/o undergraduates. Harvard Educational Review, 79(4), 659-690.
Optional content to follow
(if there is spare time)
Process for target/victim
Phase 1:
Incident or
event
Phase 2:
Perception and
questioning
Phase 3:
Reaction
Phase 4:
Interpretation
and meaning
Phase 5:
Consequences
and Impact
Sue et al., 2010
Process for perpetrator
Phase 1:
Awareness
Phase 2:
Emotions
Phase 3:
Defensiveness
Phase 4:
Questions
Phase 5:
Changes
Sue et al., 2010
After learning about microaggressions
• Walking on eggshells
• Guilt
• Blaming the victim
(snowflake)
• Failure to connect with
others (afraid of offending)