Microaggression is an understated form of discrimination that happens when someone makes an insensitive remark, joke, comment, or behavior towards another person due to their race, gender, religion, ethnicity, or some other aspect of identity. It can include subtle put-downs, denigrating jokes, assumptions about certain groups, dismissing someone's opinions, or other types of invalidation. Research has shown that microaggressions can have serious impacts on people's relational trust, emotional vulnerability, and self-esteem. This article will examine how experiences of microaggression affect these areas, providing evidence from psychological studies to support its claims.
Relational Trust
Relational trust refers to the belief that one can rely upon and depend on another person in a relationship. Microaggressions can undermine this type of trust because they imply that the victim cannot be trusted with sensitive information or support.
If a coworker consistently assumes that someone else is more competent than them based on their identity, it may create feelings of distrust and insecurity within the relationship. Studies have found that individuals who experience frequent microaggressions are less likely to feel safe sharing personal information or seeking help from others, leading to reduced levels of relational trust (Wallace et al., 2016).
Emotional Vulnerability
Experiences of microaggression can also lead to greater emotional vulnerability, as victims feel increasingly threatened and defensive. When someone feels disrespected or unheard, they may become more guarded and hesitant to express themselves fully. This can lead to a decrease in openness and intimacy in relationships, which can make it difficult to build strong bonds and form meaningful connections.
A study found that women who experienced sexist comments from male colleagues were more likely to report feeling emotionally vulnerable and fearing retaliation for speaking up (Tajfel & Turner, 1986).
Self-Esteem
Microaggressions can also affect self-esteem by making people feel excluded, marginalized, and devalued. They send messages that certain groups do not belong or deserve respect, which can undermine a person's sense of worth and value. Research has shown that experiencing regular microaggressions over time can lead to lower levels of self-esteem, especially among minority populations (Pierce, 2017). In addition, when a victim is repeatedly invalidated or dismissed, they may begin to doubt their own perceptions and experiences, leading to feelings of inadequacy and shame.
Experiences with microaggressions have significant effects on relational trust, emotional vulnerability, and self-esteem. They create an atmosphere of distrust, reduce openness, and damage one's sense of identity and belonging. It is important for individuals to be aware of these effects and work towards creating environments where everyone feels safe, heard, and valued. By recognizing the impact of microaggressions and taking steps to address them, we can promote healthy relationships and cultivate stronger, more inclusive communities.
To what degree do experiences of microaggressions influence relational trust, emotional vulnerability, and self-esteem?
Microaggressions are subtle insults or put-downs that may stem from unconscious biases. According to scientific studies, they can negatively impact individuals' relational trust, emotional vulnerability, and self-esteem. Relational trust is one's belief that another person will act in their best interest and not harm them intentionally. Microaggressions can erode this trust by making individuals feel unsafe and mistrusting of others.