Final answer:
A White person may feel most uncomfortable interacting with a Black university president due to aversive prejudice, which relates to discomfort around power dynamics and authority. This is influenced by historical and institutionalized racism that has impacted societal perceptions of race and hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the theory of aversive prejudice, a White person would potentially be most uncomfortable interacting with a Black university president.
This theory is rooted in the perception of hierarchy and the comfort level associated with power dynamics, suggesting that a White individual may feel more uncomfortable interacting with a Black person who holds a higher status or greater authority.
In this case, a university president, compared to individuals in less authoritative roles such as a college student, high school basketball star, or even a panther, the latter of which is a species reference and not directly related to social hierarchy.
Historical instances of institutionalized racism and prejudice, such as segregation and implicit bias, have contributed to forming and reinforcing these uncomfortable interactions. The discomfort may originate from a place of unacknowledged bias or the cognitive dissonance that arises when confronted with a Black individual holding a high-power position, which challenges common stereotypes and prejudices.