Agenda

Microassaults

Bullying

Micro

aggressions

Organizational Climate

The events, messages, symbols, core beliefs, feelings, and much more, which makes

“our community” a welcoming, or not so welcoming environment

(Virginia Tech)

What are Microaggressions?

Brief and commonplace indignities, whether intentional

or unintentional, that communicate hostility or negative slights and insults that potentially

have harmful or unpleasant psychological impact.

(Solorzani, Ceja, & Yozzo, 2000; Sue, et.al. 2007)

Ism enacted

29%

25 6

3

15

5

6

6

181…

7

1

Role & Hierarchy

Microaggression Stress  1. Biological and physical effects

- Accumulative small changes/stress could be additive--equal to the effect of a major catastrophic trauma.

2. Emotional effects

- “Isms” affect emotional well-being, psychological adjustment, and mental

health.

3. Cognitive effects

- Try to make meaning of incidents

- Disrupted cognitive processing (decreased focus and productivity)

- Stereotype threat (identity/disengage from interests/under-perform)

4. Behavioral effects

- Hypervigilance /skepticism (suspiciousness toward majority group)

- Forced compliance (surviving or being co-opted)

- Rage and anger

- Fatigue and hopelessness

- Adaptation to adversity (functional survival skills)

From Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race Gender and Sexual Orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

So What• Contribute to a hostile and invalidating campus and work climate

• Devalue social group identities

• Lower work productivity and educational learning

• Perpetuate stereotype threat

• Create physical health problems

• Impact mental health by creating emotional turmoil, low self-esteem, and psychological energy depletion

• Systemically: – Create disparities in health care, education, and employment because they are

based upon a biased worldview that is manifested in hiring, retention, and promotion decisions in the workplace

– May reduce the quality of education received by students of color– May result in lower quality of health care for certain groups

From Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race Gender and Sexual Orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Well-intended

What are Microassaults?

Explicit derogations characterized primarily by a

violent verbal or nonverbal attack meant to hurt the intended victim through name-calling,

avoidant behavior or purposeful discriminatory action.

From Sue, D. W. (2010). Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race Gender and Sexual Orientation. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Intentional

What is Workplace Bullying?

Unwanted aggressive behavior, among school aged children,

that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.

This behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated

over time.

(StopBullying.gov)

Bullying is a full bore systematic interpersonal

campaign of destruction.

(Dr. Gary Namie, interview, 2009)

Bully Types

The Screaming Mimi

The Constant Critic

The Two-Headed Snake

The Gatekeeper

Control

Micro assaults

Bullying

Micro

aggressions

Role, Psychological Impact, Morale, Negative Climate, Work Interference, Create Physical Health Problems, Adverse Effect on Human Capital

Intentional, Repetition

Unintentional, One-time, Ism

Intentional, One-time, Discriminatory

Power, Control

Superbully

Group Activity

1. Identify A. MicroaggressionB. MicroassaultC. Bullying

2. ExplainA. MicroaggressionB. MicroassaultC. Bullying

3. ResolveA. MicroaggressionB. MicroassaultC. Bullying

So What

What Cost

So What

Psychological Influence

• Active listening• Knowledge and resources• Communication• Diplomacy• Advocacy• Interact with people different

than you• Don’t be defensive• Be open to discussing your own

biases• Recognize your own biases• Be an ally – stand against bias

• Agreement to say “ouch”

How to Remove

Microaggressions Bullying

• Recognize it• Do not engage in bullying antics• It is not about you, it is about

them• Think through your options• Take action• Gather a record of negative

actions• Review employee handbook, look

for violations• Build a business case• Evaluate• Let go of the pain… make peace,

coexist, or leave• File a complaint• Exposure

Thank You