Dimensions of Black Identity Predict System Justification

Abstract

What explains variability in African Americans' sociopolitical attitudes? System justification theory implicates both high-and low-status groups in the maintenance of the socioeconomic and political system, postulating that individuals are motivated to justify the system. Self-interest offers a simple explanation for system justification among high-status groups. However, system justification among African Americans is less well-understood. Using a socioeconomically diverse sample of 275 Black undergraduates, including traditional as well as older students, the current survey and quantitative analyses further understanding of attitudes toward the system and institutions by linking attitudes with Black identity. Findings revealed that highly identifying as Black negatively predicted system justification but not if one rejects a Black nationalist ideology. Endorsing an assimilation ideology positively predicted system justification. An oppressed minority ideology did not predict system justification but positively predicted trust across institutions (police and local and national government). Finally, the Black nationalist ideology negatively predicted trust in police. These findings reveal the utility of a multidimensional model of Black identity in shedding light on attitudes toward the system and institutions.

Queering Black activism: Exploring the relationship between racial identity and Black activist orientation among Black LGBTQ youth

“…Previous research indicates that assimilationist ideology positively predicts justification of the status quo among Black individuals (Shockley, Wynn, & Ashburn‐Nardo, ). Our findings provide a more nuanced interpretation of assimilationist ideology because Black queer youth in our study who ascribed highly to assimilationist beliefs reported higher orientation to risky activism when their racial centrality was also high.…”

Sociocultural Influences on the Sociopolitical Development of African American Youth

“…Aspects of racial identity may predict individuals’ sociopolitical attitudes and behaviors . For instance, African American undergraduates who considered race central to their self‐concept and believed African Americans should remain a distinct cultural/political group were less likely to believe that the United States was fair and just .…”

“…Aspects of racial identity may predict individuals’ sociopolitical attitudes and behaviors . For instance, African American undergraduates who considered race central to their self‐concept and believed African Americans should remain a distinct cultural/political group were less likely to believe that the United States was fair and just . In another study , dimensions of African American college youth's racial identity predicted their sociopolitical beliefs: Participants for whom race was central to their self‐concept and who felt positively about being African American were more likely to engage in sociopolitical action and believe that other African American people should do so.…”

Ideology and the limits of self-interest: System justification motivation and conservative advantages in mass politics.

“…The point is that members of disadvantaged groups are sometimes reluctant to criticize the system in which they are disadvantaged (and, in some cases, surprisingly willing to accept its legitimacy). Other theories—which only consider self-interested and/or group-interested forms of motivation—are ill-equipped to explain this phenomenon (see Carvacho et al, 2013; Dirilen-Gumus, 2011; Douglas, 2016; Durrheim, Jacobs, & Dixon, 2014; Godfrey, 2013; Godfrey & Wolf, 2016; Henry & Saul, 2006; Hoffarth & Jost, in press; Im, 2014; Jost, Blount et al, 2003; Lane, 1962; Sengupta et al, 2015; Shockley, Wynn, & Ashburn-Nardo, 2016; Pacilli et al, 2011; van der Toorn et al, 2015; Wiederkehr et al, 2015; Zimmerman & Reyna, 2013).…”