Abstract
Meta-analyses demonstrate that the negative effects of subtle forms of discrimination on a range of work-related outcomes can be worse than those of overt discrimination (Dhanani et al. Personnel Psychology, 71(2), 147–179, 2018; Jones et al. Journal of Management, 42(6), 1588–1613, 2016). Yet, these syntheses and the primary studies on which they are based offer little insight into how or why these effects emerge. In the current study, we examine consequences of both of these types of discrimination on task performance and citizenship intentions via cognitive resource depletion. A total of 131 women experienced (a) overt discrimination, (b) subtle discrimination, (c) overt and subtle discrimination, or (d) no discrimination and were then asked to conduct a series of in-basket performance tasks. Results revealed that subtle (but not overt) discrimination significantly impaired measures of task performance and that cognitive resource depletion mediated these relationships. By pinpointing cognitive resource depletion as the mechanism that transmits the negative consequences of subtle discrimination, this work sheds new light onto this detrimental psychological experience and further opens up new opportunities for its remediation.
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The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Sarah Singletary Walker, Mikki Hebl, Eden King, and Abby Corrington developed the study conception and design. Material preparation and data collection were performed by Sarah Singletary Walker and Abby Corrington. Data analyses were performed by Sarah Singletary Walker and Abby Corrington. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Sarah Singletary Walker, and all authors provided critical revisions to the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Walker, S.S., Corrington, A., Hebl, M. et al. Subtle Discrimination Overtakes Cognitive Resources and Undermines Performance. J Bus Psychol 37, 311–324 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-021-09747-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-021-09747-2