You've got mail: Using e-mail to examine the effect of prejudiced attitudes on discrimination against Arabs

This study examined subtle forms of discrimination directed towards Arabs. Participants were sent a "lost" e-mail intended for someone else. The surname of the intended recipient was either of Arab or European descent. The e-mail stated the recipient was or was not awarded a prestigious 4-year scholarship, and that a response was required within 48h. Participants had completed a measure of prejudiced attitudes toward Arab-Americans two weeks before they received the lost e-mail. In comparison to less prejudiced individuals, more prejudiced individuals were less likely to return a lost e-mail stating that an Arab had won a scholarship and were more likely to return a lost e-mail stating that an Arab had not won a scholarship. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.