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An Evolutionary Model of Racial Attitude Formation: Socially Shared and Idiosyncratic Racial Attitudes

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  • Thomas Craemer

    (University of Tuebingen)

Abstract

A growing body of research in political science has uncovered evidence of a “split personality†among Americans when it comes to racial attitudes—people express different attitudes in public than they personally hold. At present no theoretical model can account for the emergence of this discrepancy. This article proposes a simple neural model of racial attitude formation that makes an important distinction between socially shared and idiosyncratic racial attitudes. A computational model based on Kimura's (1983) Neutral Theory of Evolution predicts that socially shared racist attitudes may be able to coexist with, and eventually be replaced by, more favorable idiosyncratic racial attitudes. Results of a laboratory-based study ( N = 555) involving reaction-time-based implicit measures of socially shared and idiosyncratic attitudes are consistent with the predictions derived from the computational model. The implications of the theoretical model and the empirical findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Craemer, 2007. "An Evolutionary Model of Racial Attitude Formation: Socially Shared and Idiosyncratic Racial Attitudes," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 614(1), pages 74-101, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:614:y:2007:i:1:p:74-101
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716207305979
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stanley Feldman & Leonie Huddy, 2005. "Racial Resentment and White Opposition to Race‐Conscious Programs: Principles or Prejudice?," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 49(1), pages 168-183, January.
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