Has there been a resurgence of racist attitudes in the general population

Bibliographic Data

ID2155165
AuthorsH Edward Ransford (University of Southern California), Bartolomeo J Palisi (California State University, Fullerton)
Year1992
Volume12
Issue3
Pages231-255
Publication date1992-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociological Spectrum (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0273-2173 • E-ISSN: 1521-0707
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02732173.1992.9981999
OpenAlexW1965644646
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited14

Two somewhat conflicting images of racism in the United States are examined. One view, based on current media reports, states that racist incidents have increased. The other, based on social science survey data, notes a steady decline in prejudicial attitudes over time. This study notes points of convergence and divergence in these views. Using General Social Survey data (1972–1989), white attitudes toward blacks are examined into the most recent time period. Four types of prejudice are examined: social distance, objections to high proportions of blacks in integrated schools, free‐will explanations of black disadvantage, and personal willingness to break down race barriers. Patterns of change for subgroups of whites are examined using six control variables. Findings indicated that (1) for the total sample and for all subgroups there is a strong pattern of decline in prejudice for two of the measures (social distance and willingness to break down barriers) and no change for the other two (free will and objections to high proportions of blacks), (2) in none of the measures was there an increase in prejudice, (3) subgroups traditionally high in prejudice often became more tolerant over time than other subgroups. Three explanations are advanced to reconcile the findings of this study with mass media reports of resurgence of racism

Criminology · Population · Sociology · Demography · Migration, Health and Trauma · Migration, Refugees, and Integration · Psychology · Racial and Ethnic Identity Research · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub