Attitudes on affirmative action targeted to help Black and Hispanic individuals: The roles of knowledge, race, and perceived discrimination

This study explored factors affecting affirmative action attitudes. Undergraduates at a Hispanic-Serving Institution completed measures assessing support for Black-targeted and Hispanic-targeted affirmative action, perceived discrimination against Blacks and Hispanics, and demographic information. Prior to completing these measures, some participants were randomly assigned to read 10 facts about current racial inequities. An ANOVA revealed a marginally significant effect of condition (with greater affirmative action support by participants who read facts about racial inequities vs. the control condition), a significant effect of participant race (with greater affirmative action support by Black and Hispanic vs. White participants), and a significant interaction between participant and target race (with greater support of Hispanic-targeted vs. Black-targeted affirmative action by White and Hispanic participants, but no difference in support for Hispanic-targeted vs. Black-targeted affirmative action by Black participants). Regression analyses revealed that affirmative action support was significantly associated with a Democrat affiliation, a Black or Hispanic race, and perceived discrimination against Blacks and Hispanics. These findings are consistent with social dominance theory (whereby group status threat may influence Hispanic affirmative action support) and the altruism-born-of-suffering theory (whereby adverse discriminatory experiences of Blacks may lead to greater empathy and support for affirmative action). Presenting people with facts about current racial inequities (and discrimination faced by Black and Hispanic individuals) may help increase support for affirmative action policies meant to help Black and Hispanic individuals achieve admittance to college and graduate school and obtain good jobs and promotions. Further, policies on outreach and training for these underrepresented groups in education and employment may likely receive the most support.