Creating a New Measure of White Racial Identity: A Social Psychological Approach

• In Event: 447 - Section on Social Psychology Roundtable Session (co-sponsored with Section on Sociology of Emotions)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 04. Identity Processes

Abstract

This research outlines the theoretical foundations that were utilized to create a survey of white racial identity that is more comprehensive than previous psychological or sociological measures. Previous literature has equated white racial identity with self-identification and/or group membership. Studies that have allowed for more complex measurements of white racial identity have utilized small-scale qualitative data and are therefore not generalizable. The 55-question survey developed in this research offers a generalizable measure of white racial identity that includes questions about whites demographic background; attitudes, socialization and values; and behaviors, practices, and preferences. Together, these provide a measure of white racial identity that accounts for nuances based on respondent’s class, gender and local context, yet also takes into account broader social phenomenon such as white privilege and the implication of racial group membership.

Author

• Paula K. Miller, Michigan State University