Teasing by the Numbers: How Race and Gender Influence Teasing Behaviors

Abstract

This study examines the influence of target race and target gender on teasing behaviors. A study was conducted to examine the range of teasing topics elicited by participants based on friends/acquaintances that were or were not of the same race and gender. The results suggest that same-race targets elicit a greater amount of teasing topics than different-race targets. In addition, evidence shows that different-gender targets elicit more teasing topics than same-gender targets. The implications for these results and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• Gender
• Race
• Social Identity
• Teasing

Notes

Note. The scales ranged from 1 (never) to 5 (very often).

*p < .05.**p < .001. .

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Vincent Cicchirillo

Vincent Cicchirillo (PhD, Ohio State University, 2009) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Advertising at the University of Texas at Austin.

Anthony Roberto

Anthony Roberto (PhD, Michigan State University, 1995) is an Associate Professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University.