Individualism and Attitudes Toward Affirmative Action: Evidence From Priming Experiments
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Kemmelmeier, Markus
Issue Date
2003
Type
Citation
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Theorists have argued that Americans' ambivalence toward affirmative action policies is fueled by a notion of justice that champions the rights of individuals. This conception of justice is not compatible with the idea of group rights and the notion of group-based social justice. Extending earlier cross-cultural comparisons by Ozawa, Crosby, and Crosby (1996), this hypothesis is tested in 2 experimental studies in which aspects of the self-concept are primed that are typical for individualist or collectivist cultures. Findings show that when individual aspects of the self-concept are primed, Americans are less supportive of group-based remedial policies in a hypothetical discrimination case (Study 1) and are less supportive of existing affirmative action policies (Study 2). At the same time, priming independent aspects of the self-concept fosters the endorsement of meritocratic principles (Study 1).
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
In Copyright
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
0197-3533