Social Value of Time: The Intergroup Time Bias in
Different Racial Relation Contexts
*Abstract:*
Previous research has identified an implicit discrimination process
characterized by more investment of time when individuals evaluate ingroup
than outgroup members, i.e., the Intergroup Time Bias (ITB). The current
research goes further by proposing that ITB is sensitive to structural
elements of racial contexts. Study 1 was conducted in Portugal and
replicated previous results by showing that White participants invested
more time evaluating White than Black targets. Study 2 was conducted in
Luanda (Angola) and showed that Black participants did not discriminate
against White people when investing their time in an impression information
task. Study 3 meta-analyzed the ITB utilizing data from current and
previous research and found more time invested in ingroup than outgroup
targets, being this effect moderated by the racial structural context. That
is, the ITB effect occurred in a context where White people is a numeric
and symbolic majority (Portugal), but not in a context where Black people
are a numeric majority, but not a clear symbolic majority (Angola). We
discuss the meaning of time in social relations, system justification and
social identity theories.