Prejudice matters: understanding the reactions of Whites to affirmative action programs targeted to benefit Blacks

J Appl Psychol. 2001 Dec;86(6):1120-8. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.86.6.1120.

Abstract

The authors examined, in 2 studies, the effects of equal employment opportunity/affirmative action (EEO/AA) policies on Whites' job-related attitudes. First, in an experiment, White prospective job recruits, as expected, rated a potential employer whose EEO/AA policies were framed as targeted to benefit Blacks as less attractive than a potential employer whose EEO/AA policies were framed more generally. Second. the results of a field study showed that prejudice against Blacks moderated the relationship between Whites' perceptions that their organization's EEO/AA policies were targeted to benefit Blacks and their satisfaction with promotion opportunities. Specifically, among prejudiced Whites, this relationship was negative and considerable in size (r = -.39. p < .01); whereas, among nonprejudiced Whites, it was negligible (r = -.04, ns). The implications of our findings for the study of prejudice in organizations are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American*
  • Cognition*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prejudice*
  • Public Policy*
  • Social Change
  • Social Perception*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • White People*