Tangible personal threat from blacks does not predict opposition to racial policies

Evidence

The empirical research on symbolic racism has resulted in several consistent findings and contributions to our understanding of racial attitudes. First, indicators of objective, tangible personal threats from blacks (e.g., living in an area where a busing plan is being implemented) do not predict related racial-policy attitudes (Bobo, 1983; Sears, Hensler, & Speer, 1979, 1980) or a willingness to vote for black candidates for political office. Second, other types of racial attitudes, in particular those concerning contemporary race problems (e.g., welfare dependency and crime) and black political activism, are the strongest predictors of opposition to policies and candidates likely to improve the status of blacks relative to that of whites. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3428

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the core empirical claim of symbolic racism theory: racial policy opposition tracks symbolic attitudes rather than material self-interest.