A Quantitative Examination of Social Justice Orientation Among Members of a Historically White Sorority

• In Event: Applying Theory to Student Experiences: Understanding the Various Social Contexts of Higher Education

Abstract

Although scholarship has explored the relationship between sorority and fraternity life involvement and openness to diversity and challenge, existing literature has not thoroughly examined how participating in these organizations informs members’ social justice orientations, especially from a quantitative approach. This study sought to make this intervention by investigating the context of a historically white National Panhellenic Conference sorority. Using longitudinal data from 2,985 students at 102 institutions in the United States, this critically oriented quantitative study leveraged multilevel modeling to understand the characteristics associated with members’ social justice orientations. Results indicated how sisterhood, climate, and identities/political views predicted the outcome. We then provide implications for research and practice with the hopes of promoting socially just cultures within SFL.

Authors

• Adam M. McCready, University of Connecticut

• Antonio Duran, Arizona State University

• Michael A. Goodman, University of Texas at Austin

• Benjamin S. Selznick, James Madison University