Conservative shift in philosophy among African-Americans and Hispanics

New research from Northeastern University sociologist Matthew O. Hunt reveals a growing convergence of beliefs among major U.S. ethnic groups regarding what drives the socioeconomic divide between blacks and whites in America.

The study, which appears in the flagship journal of sociology, the American Sociological Review, tracks changes from 1977-2004 in Americans' beliefs regarding why blacks are disadvantaged in areas such as jobs, income, and housing.

According to Hunt's study, whites have shown a decline in support for the belief that socioeconomic inequality is due to an innate or genetic inferiority among blacks. Instead, whites are increasingly likely to blame hindered access to quality education and/or a lack of motivation among blacks as root causes for their disadvantages.

Hunt's research also reveals a conservative shift in philosophy among African-Americans and Hispanics. Both of these groups – like whites – show increased belief that lack of motivation among blacks is to blame for socioeconomic inequality. At the same time – and unlike whites – African-Americans and Hispanics also exhibit a clear decline in the belief that racial discrimination drives inequality.

Of the three groups studied, African-Americans are still most likely to view discrimination – and least likely to view motivation – as causes for socioeconomic inequality.

While significant differences in beliefs remain, Hunt believes these changes demonstrate a convergence of beliefs between minority groups and whites; one that could significantly influence race-based public policy in years to come.

“The opinion-shifts for white respondents are mostly continuations of trends we've seen in past research,” states Hunt. “What surprised me was the nature and extent of the conservative shifts in views for African-Americans and Hispanics. Given what we know about links between these beliefs and support for public policies designed to counter discrimination, programs such as affirmative action may lose additional ground if Americans' racial attitudes continue to trend in an individualistic direction.”

Hunt's study uses data from General Social Surveys conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC). These annual surveys averaged around 1,500 participants until 1994 when the study became biennial and samples sizes approximately doubled.

Another noteworthy finding by Hunt is an increase in the belief that none of the explanations offered in the surveys explain black/white inequality; possibly indicating that racial disparities are no longer perceived, or that causes beyond those included in the survey are seen as responsible.