Zero-sum perceptions of economics drive white opposition to affirmative action

Evidence

To elaborate, perceptions of incompatible group interests concern the extent to which groups are perceived as having conflicting interests and objectives. In addition, they concern beliefs about the group benefits (and consequences) of proposals for change. Very general questions of this type might take the following form: “As blacks move ahead economically, more and more whites fall behind.” Kluegel and Smith (1983) provided evidence that a question concerning the zero-sum structure of economic opportunities is related to white attitudes toward affirmative action. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3365

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to racial threat and group position theory as well as to the symbolic racism literature discussed elsewhere in this chapter. — connects to: White guilt mediates privilege’s effect on affirmative action attitudes but not discrimination beliefs’ effect. — Janet K. Swim and Deborah L. Miller, White Guilt: Its Antecedents and…, 102