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Texas Tech University

Project Description

Perceptions of Same-Race and Interracial Dating Couples on Relationship and Sexuality Variables

Project Abstract

Abstract
Attitudes towards interracial dating and marriage have historically been used as barometers of racial acceptance in this country. The interracial relationships literature focuses on attitudes towards different racial and ethnic groups as potential romantic partners, and on reactions from individuals in interracial couples regarding their relationship. The literature rarely examines the specific perceptions that interracial couples elicit. Garcia and Rivera (1999) examined participants� perceptions of Black and Hispanic dating and engaged couples on several relationship variables. Their results suggested that same-race and interracial couples are perceived and rated differently (Garcia & Rivera, 1999). Carrasco (2003) found a general trend indicating that same-race and interracial couples were perceived differently on relationship variables, but not on education, social economic status, or personality variables. Instead, Carrasco (2003) found that participants tended to rate the Black and Hispanic targets significantly different from each other on education, social economic status, and personality variables. The primary purpose of this study is to examine whether individuals alter their perceptions of a couple and the individuals in the couple based on the couple�s racial composition. Specifically, this study will examine whether variations in the racial composition of the couple will elicit different ratings of the targets� sexuality and other relationship variables. According to Nagel (2003), White, Black, and Hispanic racial groups have historically been perceived as being sexually dissimilar. It is expected that participants will (a) rate the Black and Hispanic targets significantly different from each other on the education, social economic status, and personality variables, (b) rate White targets more positively than Hispanic targets and less positively than Black targets on education, social economic status, and personality variables, (c) rate same-race couples more positively than interracial couples on general relationship questions, and (d) rate same-race couples more positively than interracial couples on items reflecting their sexuality.

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