Americans Overestimate Racial Educational Equality, Driving Opposition to Affirmative Action Programs

• In Event: Advancing Higher Education Policy Frameworks

Abstract

For people to be motivated to oppose racial educational inequality, they must first be aware of its continued existence. In 3 correlational studies (total N = 829), we demonstrate that Americans overestimate the amount of progress that has been made towards reaching White-Black and White-Latinx equality in degree attainment over the last 35 years, incorrectly believing that Black and Latinx degree attainment rates have increased by more than twice as much as they actually have, and by more than White degree attainment rates have. In two follow-up experiments (total N = 577), we then demonstrate that correcting these misperceptions enhances support for affirmative action programs. Implications for educational policy and social advocacy are discussed.

Authors

• Alexander S. Browman, College of the Holy Cross
  Presenting Author

• David B. Miele, Boston College
  Non-Presenting Author