Revisão Sistemática de Estudos da Psicologia Brasileira sobre Preconceito Racial

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to systematically review Brazilian psychological studies focusing on racial prejudice. A search was conducted in the databases SciELO (Scientific Eletronic Library Online), PePSIC, Index Psi, LILACS (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), and PsycINFO. The final database included in the analysis consisted of 77 articles, 35 theoreticals and 42 empiricals, published since 2001. Social Psychology was the most widely used theorical basis. The affirmative actions, specially the quota system, were the most frequent theme of empirical studies. On the other hand the theoretical studies focused on a variety of topics such as the origins and expression of racial prejudice, the consequences of prejudice for its victims, and the influences of racial theories in the development of Psychology. Results indicated the existence of some methodological gaps in the description of the studies, particularly with respect to the characteristics of participants, instruments and procedures. There was also a lack of studies focusing on the development of prejudice in Brazilian children. In addition further studies are needed with focus on minority groups and adults other than graduate and undergraduate students. Also, only one study has used an implicit measure of attitude. The relatively low number of psychological studies focusing on racial prejudice identified by this review, as well as the significant gaps in the existing research, revealed that is a field of study still in development in Brazil.