Paternalistic Prejudice: How Perceptions of Low Competence Foster Positive Evaluations of China-Africa Relations

Filling a gap in micro-level research on Sino-African perceptions, the study examines a paradox - African negative stereotyping leads to positive evaluations of China-Africa relations by Chinese youth. The empirical research engaged 964 Chinese university students, with the data subjected to Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Our results lead to three conclusions: (1) inter-group contact mitigates social distance as it relates to intergroup perceptions but strengthens negative stereotypes around competence (2) interpersonal affinity, through reflections on the past, does not predict macro-level evaluations of relationships, and (3) the strongest predictor of positive perceptions of China-Africa relations was the stereotype of Africa's low competence. The evidence illustrates a "Two-Level Model of Perception". The paradox is explained by "Paternalistic Prejudice", which stipulates that low competence, even in a high-warmth context produces a framework that leads to the positive evaluation of a hierarchical relationship.

本研究填补了中非认知微观层面研究的空白，聚焦于一项悖论性现象：非洲负面刻板印象反而会促使中国青年对中非关系作出积极评价。本实证研究招募了964名中国大学生，并对所获数据采用偏最小二乘结构方程模型（Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling）进行分析。本研究结果得出三项核心结论：其一，群际接触能够缓解与群际认知相关的社会距离，却会强化围绕能力维度的负面刻板印象；其二，经由历史反思形成的人际亲和性，无法对双边关系的宏观层面评价产生预测作用；其三，对中非关系持积极认知的最强预测因子，是非洲能力低下的刻板印象。上述论证揭示了“双层次认知模型”。该悖论可通过“家长式偏见”得到解释：该理论指出，即便处于高热情情境中，能力低下的刻板印象仍会构建出一套认知框架，使得人们对层级性关系作出积极评价。