Microaggression Theory Influence and Implications

Get to know the sociopolitical context behind microaggressions 

Microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership (e.g., race, gender, culture, religion, social class, sexual orientation, etc.). These daily, common manifestations of aggression leave many people feeling vulnerable, targeted, angry, and afraid. How has this become such a pervasive part of our social and political rhetoric, and what is the psychology behind it?

In Microaggression Theory, the original research team that created the microaggressions taxonomy, Gina Torino, David Rivera, Christina Capodilupo, Kevin Nadal, and Derald Wing Sue, address these issues head-on in a fascinating work that explores the newest findings of microaggressions in their sociopolitical context. It delves into how the often invisible nature of this phenomenon prevents perpetrators from realizing and confronting their own complicity in creating psychological dilemmas for marginalized groups, and discusses how prejudice, privilege, safe spaces, and cultural appropriation have become themes in our contentious social and political discourse.

• Details the psychological effects of microaggressions in separate chapters covering clinical impact, trauma, related stress syndromes, and the effect on perpetrators
• Examines how microaggressions affect education, employment, health care, and the media
• Explores how social policies and practices can minimize the occurrence and impact of microaggressions in a range of environments
• Investigates how microaggressions relate to larger social movements

If you come across the topic of microaggressions in your day-to-day life, you can keep the conversation going in a productive manner—with research to back it up!

Gina C. Torino, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at SUNY Empire State College in New York.

David P. Rivera, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Queens College, City University of New York.

Christina M. Capodilupo, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Kevin L. Nadal, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and at The Graduate Center, City University of New York.

Derald Wing Sue, Ph.D., is a Professor of Psychology and Education in the Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also holds a joint appointment with the School of Social Work.

Acknowledgments xi

About the Editors xiii

About the Authors xv

Part I Microaggression Theory 1

1 Everything YouWanted to Know About Microaggressions but Didn’t Get a Chance to Ask 3
Gina C. Torino, David P. Rivera, Christina M. Capodilupo, Kevin L. Nadal, and DeraldWing Sue

2 Aversive Racism, Implicit Bias, and Microaggressions 16
John F. Dovidio, Adam R. Pearson, and Louis A. Penner

3 MultidimensionalModels of Microaggressions and Microaffirmations 32
James M. Jones and Rosalie Rol´on-Dow

4 Intersectionality Theory and Microaggressions: Implications for Research, Teaching, and Practice 48
Jioni A. Lewis, Marlene G.Williams, Anahvia T. Moody, Erica J. Peppers, and Cecile A. Gadson

Part II Detrimental Impact of Microaggressions 65

5 Microaggressions: Clinical Impact and Psychological Harm 67
Jesse Owen, KarenW. Tao, and Joanna M. Drinane

6 Microaggressions: Considering the Framework of Psychological Trauma 86
Thema Bryant-Davis

7 Factors Contributing to Microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue, Stereotype Threat, and Imposter Phenomenon for Nonhegemonic Students: Implications for Urban Education 102
Jennifer L.Martin

8 Microaggressions and Internalized Oppression: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, and Institutional Impacts of “Internalized Microaggressions” 121
E.J.R. David, Jessica Petalio, and Maria C. Crouch

9 “I Didn’t Know ThatWas Racist”: Costs of Racial Microaggressions To White People 138
D Anthony Clark and Lisa Spanierman

Part III Manifestation of Microaggressions 157

10 The 360-Degree Experience of Workplace Microaggressions: Who Commits Them? How Do Individuals Respond? What Are the Consequences? 159
Jennifer Young-Jin Kim, Duoc Nguyen, and Caryn Block

11 Microaggressions: Toxic Rain in Health Care 178
Silvia L. Mazzula and Rebecca R. Camp´on

12 From Racial Microaggressions to Hate Crimes: A Model of Online Racism Based on the Lived Experiences of Adolescents of Color 194
Brendesha M. Tynes, Fantasy T. Lozada, Naila A. Smith, and AshleyM. Stewart

13 EnvironmentalMicroaggressions: Context, Symbols, and Mascots 213
Jesse A. Steinfeldt, Jacqueline Hyman, and M. Clint Steinfeldt

Part IV Microaggressions and Social Policies and Practices 227

14 Microaggressions and Student Activism: Harmless Impact and Victimhood Controversies 229
DeraldWing Sue

15 “Radical by Necessity, Not by Choice”: From Microaggressions to Social Activism 244
Michelle Fine,Maria E. Torre, David Frost, and Allison Cabana

Part V Microaggressions: Interventions and Strategies 259

16 Microaggressions:Workplace Interventions 261
Aisha M. B. Holder

17 “Compliments”and “Jokes”: Unpacking Racial Microaggressions in the K-12 Classroom 276
Rita Kohli, Nallely Arteaga, and Elexia R. McGovern

18 Microaggressions in Higher Education: Embracing Educative Spaces 291
Kathryn S. Young andMyron R. Anderson

Part VI The Future of Microaggression Theory 307

19 Microaggression Theory:What the Future Holds 309
Gina C. Torino, David P. Rivera, Christina M. Capodilupo, Kevin L. Nadal, and DeraldWing Sue

Author Index 329

Subject Index 343

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