Age-Related Differences in Implicit and Explicit Racial Biases in Cameroonians

Age-related differences in explicit and implicit racial biases in Black Cameroonians (N = 187, 94 females) were investigated using a cross-sectional design. Participants ranged in age from 3 to 30 years, and were from middle-to-high income families in Yaounde, Cameroon. Biases were assessed by comparing attitudes toward Blacks with those toward Whites and Chinese. Implicit pro-Black/anti-otherrace (White and Chinese) biases were present at age 4, in contrast to anti-Black/pro-other-race biases, which were observed among 9- to 30-year-olds. In addition, explicit pro-Black/anti-other-race biases that were present at age 4 were no longer evident by age 7. These findings provide a detailed picture of age-related differences in racial biases in an understudied part of the world that can inform theories regarding the development of racial biases, as well as efforts to reduce such biases.

Automated summary

The study found that implicit pro-Black/anti-other-race biases are present at age 4, while anti-Black/pro-other-race biases are observed among 9- to 30-year-olds. In addition, explicit pro-Black/anti-other-race biases that were present at age 4 are no longer evident by age 7.