Social Stigma and the Potential Costs of Assunptive Help

This study examined stigmatized individuals' reactions to receiving assumptive help from a nonstigmatized other. Assumptive help was defined as unsolicited help provided without any evidence indicating personal need on the part of the recipient. It was hypothesized that Black students who received assumptive help from a White peer would have lower self esteem and more depressed affect than Black students who did not receive assumptive help. Furthermore, it was predicted that receiving assumptive help from a White peer would have more negative effects (i. e., result in lower self esteem and more depressed affect) among Black recipients than White recipients. No differences in self-esteem and affect were expected between Blacks and Whites who did not receive help. Results based on a measure of competence-based self-esteem were consistent with the hypotheses.