Microaggressions Explained: Understanding, Impact, and Solutions

Microaggressions are intentional or inadvertent, short, everyday verbal, behavioural, or environmental insults that convey hostility, disdain, or negative prejudice toward any group—especially culturally marginalised groups. Another type of microaggression is microinvalidation, which is the rejection or negation of someone’s identity or experiences. For example, denying someone who is a victim of racial prejudice by stating, “I don’t see colour.” Microinvalidation also frequently takes the form of saying to an LGBTQI+ person, “It’s just a phase.” Such demeaning remarks diminish an individual’s lived experiences and aid in the erasing of their identity.

Microaggressions propagate ideas that drive animosity and isolate whole populations. Most of the time, this is not done intentionally. The majority of microaggressions are unintentional and unconscious. The secret is to be aware of your actions, understand the reasons behind them, and then make an effort to change them consciously.

When someone has just engaged in a subtle act of exclusion, defensiveness is one of the main roadblocks. “I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings!” “Well, I had no idea!” “It’s not a huge deal!” “There is absolutely no racism in the royal family!” People often focus on their intentions and point out that they weren’t acting aggressively when we label their behaviour as “aggression.” However, if we concentrate on the sense of exclusion brought about by the action, we are concentrating on impact rather than aim.

Let’s look at some research to understand this better. 

Research Studies

A study by Pinyu Ming in China looked into the effects of micro aggression on self-esteem. Social exclusion, risk-taking behaviour, state self-esteem, and self-affirmation were all examined in this study, and a mediation model between the four was developed. The specific findings are as follows:

1. Risk-taking behaviour is strongly impacted by social marginalisation. In other words, social exclusion would increase an individual’s level of risk-taking behaviour, whereas social acceptance would cause them to exhibit a lower level of risk-taking behaviour. The level of risk-taking behaviour in the social exclusion group was significantly higher than that in the social acceptance group.
2. The relationship between risky behaviours and social exclusion is partially mediated by state self-esteem. People who experience social isolation have lower self-esteem and take more risks as a result.
3. The impact of social exclusion on risky behaviours is moderated by self-affirmation. Both the moderating effect on risk-taking behaviour and the moderating effect on state self-esteem are examples of its manifestation (Ming, 2020).

Many studies have examined people’s reactions to social exclusion on various self-report measures of psychological adjustment, well-being and affect. Several studies have shown that people who are excluded from desired relationships or groups feel a range of negative emotions, including sadness, disappointment, jealousy, anger and shame (e.g. Baumeister & Tice, 1990; Leary, 1990; Marcus & Askari, 1999; Williams, Cheung & Choi, 2000).

The Psychological Impact of Microaggressions

On their own, microaggressions might not seem like much, but they can have a big effect. In addition to causing feelings of loneliness and harming a person’s self-esteem, these discriminatory practices can exacerbate mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. An individual’s general well-being and sense of belonging may suffer over time as a result of frequent exposure to microaggressions.

However, it doesn’t end there. By strengthening prejudices, denying marginalised groups opportunities, erecting obstacles to achievement, and feeding an unbreakable cycle of discrimination, microaggressions contribute to the continuation of structural inequities. These subtle forms of micro-rejections are detrimental in ways which are not visible to an observer. The affected person might hide their feelings as they might consider opening up about these things ‘inappropriate’. Mental health professionals have a huge task in this regard with making them speak up about the issues that they are facing in their social circle. 

How to Address Microaggressions

Making the world more inclusive requires acknowledging and addressing microaggressions. The following techniques will assist you in navigating these circumstances:

• Become knowledgeable: about the various types of microaggressions and how they affect underprivileged groups. You can more easily identify and comprehend these subtle forms of discrimination if you educate yourself.
• Consider your own prejudices: Give careful thought to your own preconceptions and biases. Acknowledge that everyone has unconscious biases, and in order to foster a more inclusive mindset, it is imperative to confront them.
• When someone tells their story of experiencing microaggressions, pay close attention to what they have to say and acknowledge their emotions. Don’t minimise or reject their worries. Establishing a safe space can be facilitated by demonstrating empathy and support.
• Speak out: If you see someone engaging in microaggression, think about politely speaking up. Express your worry and inform the person of the consequences of their words or behaviour by using “I” sentences.
• Have a conversation: Discuss systematic discrimination and microaggressions with others. We can increase awareness and foster understanding across various groups by having an open discussion about these topics.

Conclusion 

Even though microaggressions don’t seem important on their own, over time, their cumulative impacts can seriously undermine a person’s sense of self-worth. It begins with seemingly insignificant behaviours, such an ignored message or contemptuous reply, or even being isolated from other members of a group; these micro-rejections create a persistent, if dormant, sense of social uneasiness. Such little actions could be justified and denigrated; the repetition merely serves to reinforce the idea that one is not valuable to the group.