Effects of Interracial Contact on
Executive Function

Prejudice is a ubiquitous social phenomenon for which interpersonal,
intergroup contact may be the only viable antidote.  However, the
results of recent investigations of cognitive, affective, and behavioral
dynamics of intergoup contact suggest potential obstacles that may
weaken this approach.  The present work examines one cognitive
consequence of interracial contact; namely the impairment of performance
on tasks requiring executive control.  Specifically, studies finding
that White individuals are impaired on executive control tasks after
interracial contact will be presented, as well as work investigating the
potential mechanism underlying the effect.  In addition, strategies for
engaging in interracial interactions that do not result in impaired
performance will also be considered.