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But Affirmative Action hurts Us! Race-related beliefs shape perceptions of White disadvantage and policy unfairness

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  • Shteynberg, Garriy
  • Leslie, Lisa M.
  • Knight, Andrew P.
  • Mayer, David M.

Abstract

Drawing on social identity theory, we examine how Whites' race-related beliefs drive their reactions to race-based Affirmative Action Policies (AAPs). Across laboratory and field settings, we find that Whites with relatively high modern racism (MR) or collective relative deprivation (CRD) beliefs perceive greater White disadvantage in organizations that have race-based AAPs, than in organizations that do not. Alternatively, race-based AAPs do not lead to perceptions of White disadvantage among Whites with relatively low MR and CRD beliefs. We also find that White disadvantage mediates the relationship between the combined effects of race-based AAPs, MR beliefs, and CRD beliefs and the perceived fairness of the organization's selection and promotion policies. Our findings suggest that race-based AAPs do not necessarily lead to perceptions of White disadvantage, but are contingent upon the interpretive lens of Whites' MR and CRD beliefs, and also offer practical insights for preventing negative reactions to race-based AAPs.

Suggested Citation

  • Shteynberg, Garriy & Leslie, Lisa M. & Knight, Andrew P. & Mayer, David M., 2011. "But Affirmative Action hurts Us! Race-related beliefs shape perceptions of White disadvantage and policy unfairness," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 115(1), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jobhdp:v:115:y:2011:i:1:p:1-12
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lind, E. Allan & Kray, Laura & Thompson, Leigh, 1998. "The Social Construction of Injustice: Fairness Judgments in Response to Own and Others' Unfair Treatment by Authorities, , ," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 1-22, July.
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    2. Fallucchi, Francesco & Quercia, Simone, 2018. "Affirmative action and retaliation in experimental contests," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 23-40.
    3. Beaurain, Guillaume & Masclet, David, 2016. "Does affirmative action reduce gender discrimination and enhance efficiency? New experimental evidence," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 350-362.
    4. Francesco Fallucchi & Simone Quercia, 2016. "Affirmative action and retaliation in experimental contests," Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Science (CBESS) 16-03, School of Economics, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK..
    5. Alexandra Maftei & Alois Ghergut, 2021. "Spontaneous Representations of Disability and Attitudes toward Inclusive Educational Practices: a Mixed Approach," Postmodern Openings, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 12(2), pages 18-39, July.
    6. Vlas, Cristina O. & Richard, Orlando C. & Andrevski, Goce & Konrad, Alison M. & Yang, Yang, 2022. "Dynamic capabilities for managing racially diverse workforces: Effects on competitive action variety and firm performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 600-618.
    7. Arnett, Rachel D. & Sidanius, Jim, 2018. "Sacrificing status for social harmony: Concealing relatively high status identities from one’s peers," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 108-126.
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