Internet‐based cultural competence training for White undergraduate students at a predominantly White university

• Published in: Journal of applied social psychology Vol. 52; no. 9; pp. 837 - 850
• Main Authors: Robey, Nyx, Dickter, Cheryl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2022
• Subjects: College students; Colleges & universities; Competence; Cultural competence; Discrimination; Internet; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Online instruction; Peers; Prejudice; Race; Racial discrimination; Racial groups; Racism; Social privilege; Training; Undergraduate students
• ISSN: 0021-9029; 1559-1816
• DOI: 10.1111/jasp.12881

College students from underrepresented racial groups often experience racial prejudice and discrimination from their White peers at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). White university students may be misinformed about race and unaware of their privilege. In this study, we investigated the effects of online training that aimed to increase participants' cultural competence through multicultural knowledge, awareness of their own privilege, and skills. White college students at a PWI completed a 4‐week training program adapted from a 1‐day in‐person workshop. The training provided 1‐h weekly online sessions in which White participants (n = 72) were provided resources aimed to develop cultural competence. It utilized student‐acted role plays, reflection questions, articles, and videos to create an interactive experience for students. Results demonstrated that participants showed significant increases in cultural competence and acknowledgment of their White privilege directly following the fourth training session. Further, they exhibited decreases in racial colorblindness. This study suggests that a brief, online training may increase cultural competence in undergraduates which can potentially improve the climates of university campuses.