Social psychologist explains historical progress and pitfalls in addressing anti-Black racism

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology Thomas F. Pettigrew recently released a new book through Oxford University Press that summarizes his esteemed research on race relations from the past seven decades. Pettigrew’s work has been foundational in the development of Intergroup Contact Theory, which argues that meaningful interaction between different social identity groups is key to reducing prejudice. 

Pettigrew’s latest book, Anti-Black Racism in America: Is It Declining?, investigates the history of racism across all facets of American society. The book applies insights from social psychology to explain why anti-Black racism has appeared to decline in some realms, such as politics and education, while remaining firmly entrenched in economics, housing, and the justice system. Pettigrew says these outcomes reflect variation across each domain in histories of race, social processes, and structures. And psychology offers key insights for understanding them.  

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