Perceived threat alone, not deprivation or group-interest beliefs, directly drives racial policy attitudes

Evidence

There is an implicit structure to the group conflict motives described above. This structure is depicted in Figure 19.1. As the model indicates, perceptions of the general structure of group relations (perceptions of incompatible group interests) precede a sense of fraternal deprivation. The latter, in turn, is related to the level of perceived threat. Perceived threat, among the group conflict motives, should be the most direct determinant of racial policy attitudes (attitudes toward policies like affirmative action or school busing). Indeed, Bobo (1985) found that, among the three types of group conflict motives, only perceived threat had a direct effect on attitudes toward government intervention on behalf of black interests. There should, however, be important feedback dynamics. Insofar as increased external threat serves to increase perceived threat, the latter should enhance feelings of fraternal deprivation, which, in turn, should exacerbate the perception that groups have incompatible group interests. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3374

Categorization

• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3374
• XREF: connects to: Perceived racial threat drives zero-sum fears that justify defensive aggression — David Theo Goldberg, The Threat of Race: Reflections on…, 151