Eberhardt, J. L., & Fiske, S. T. (1994). Affirmative action in theory and practice: Issues of power, ambiguity, and gender versus race. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 15(1-2), 201-220

16 important questions on Eberhardt, J. L., & Fiske, S. T. (1994). Affirmative action in theory and practice: Issues of power, ambiguity, and gender versus race. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 15(1-2), 201-220

Why do people view affirmative action negatively?

Because they think a rather neutral status quo is replaced by a preference policy based on characteristics (gender & race)

What do the authors argue is the reason for people being against affirmative action?

They have a lack of accurate information about what affirmative action is about and they do not see the power asymmetries that derive from discriminatory practices. If they know more, they would show less resistance.

What is the difference between men and women in the manner of selecting and the consequences?

Women who are selected for their gender have more negative self-evaluations and take on less difficult tasks than when they are selected meritocratic. Gender is perceived as having an effect on women, but little to nothing on men
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For which difference between women and Blacks do the authors warn?

They shouldn't be seen as the same; they respond very differently to affirmative action and they have different self perceptions.

What is another difference between how racial and gender stereotypes are formed?

It is possible for white Americans to live without contact with a Black person, but it isn't for men and women. Also, differences between men and women are learned earlier in life than racial ones

What is a difference in the way treats are seen by the two groups?

With gender, it is often seen that a small group will (potentially deserving) benefit, while with race it is the whole group

Why do Blacks may be less likely to view affirmative action as help?

They are much more likely to believe that there is systemic discrimination
This discrimination overweighs the policies put in place to deal with existing discrimination

Why do women feel less entitled?

They do not have such a strong group identity or see themselves as targets for discrimination

What are the authors' hypotheses?

1. Group membership is more salient for powerless groups, which contributes to negative perceptions of AA
2. AA may be for Blacks more threatening and less fair because of less complex stereotypes
3. Blacks see AA less likely to help

What story does Eberhardt tell in the article?

How they have been stopped by a police officer, who had the assumption that the car was stolen, how the police officers discriminated and mocked them and how she was called Dr. For the first time in court

How is the goal of affirmative-action policies undermined?

By the pressure on minorities to conform to existing practices in order to be accepted;

What is meant by ambiguity within discrimination cases?

To detect discrimination, there should be more information to concretely argue that someone discriminates. Because people mostly do not have access to this information, there need to be policies that monitor behaviour

What kind of ambiguity does affirmative action introduce itself?

Nontargeted individuals may give their targeted colleagues little credit for the qualifications and talent they bring to the job

What are the conclusions of studies on the circumstances surrounding affirmative action selection?

When recipients are given explicit and focus feedback, the detrimental consequences of affirmative action are reduced. Feedback has positive effects on non targets as well; they are less likely to feel resistant to AA when the information is detailed and accurate

So it seems that clear information is really important for the perceptions. Why is this not being done? Two possibilities:

1) employers are hesitant to recognize race and gender categories
2) when accurate information is provided, people may not believe it

What is the thing with "colorblindness aka I don't see color"?

People think they don't think in a prejudiced manner, but you have to recognize differences in order to repair unfairness

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