Authors: David A. Kravitz, David A. Harrison, Marlene E. Turner, Edward L. Levine, Wanda Chaves, Michael T. Brannick, Donna L. Denning, Craig J. Russell, & Maureen A. Conard
Title: Affirmative action: A review of psychological and behavioral research.
Source: Bowling Green, OH: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 1997.
Abstract:
In September of 1995, the Scientific Affairs Committee of the Society for Industrial
and Organizational Psychology created a subcommittee to review psychological
and behavioral research on affirmative action. The nine members of the subcommittee
are the authors of this report. To provide some context, we begin with a brief
review of important legislation and case law, and distinguish affirmative action
from related concepts. A more detailed review of these matters will be provided
by a second subcommittee. We then turn to the heart of the review -- research
on evaluations of affirmative action and affirmative action plans (AAPs). After
that, we review research on how the presence of an AAP affects non-target group
members' perceptions of target group members, and the relations between target
group members and non-target group members. We then review corresponding research
on the psychological and behavioral effects of affirmative action on target
group members themselves. To provide additional context, we briefly discuss
the economic effects of affirmative action on target groups and on organizations.
We close by drawing some general conclusions, by discussing the limitations
of current knowledge, and by outlining some needed research.
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