Examining the role of social comparison perceptions on identity-safety for Black Americans in organizations.

Black Americans remain underrepresented in organizations. Although extensive research demonstrates that inadequate representation undermines inclusion, few studies have assessed the psychological processes through which this relationship emerges. Across three online experiments, we investigate the role of -concerns about being assimilated, or likened, to another ingroup member by external observers-as a mechanism underlying reduced inclusion for Black Americans in organizations. Moreover, we examine the dynamics of social comparison perceptions for individuals who have multiple marginalized identities (Black women). Across studies, Black adults (Study 1) and Black women (Studies 2 and 3) imagined that they were one of two (duo status) or many (nonduo status) Black employees at a company and read about a Black male or White female colleague who performed poorly on a work task. Findings showed that Black individuals with duo (vs. nonduo) status reported stronger social comparison perceptions and worse organizational outcomes (e.g., decreased identity-safety, or beliefs that one's identity is valued in a setting). Moreover, social comparison perceptions served as a mechanism underlying worse organizational outcomes. In Studies 2 and 3, Black women who had duo (vs. nonduo) status reported increased social comparison perceptions in response to a target who shared either of their marginalized identities (a Black man or White woman). Study 3 showed that organizational cues which condemned stereotypes significantly reduced concerns about social comparison perceptions and improved organizational outcomes. Collectively, this work elucidates a psychological process through which underrepresentation can undermine inclusion for Black adults, the dynamics of this process for persons with multiple marginalized identities, and an intervention that can disrupt this process. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).