Advantaged groups misperceive how allyship will be received

Abstract: Allyship is a way for advantaged groups to advance equity, yet acts of allyship are infrequent or limited. Here we explore a potential reason for this: a miscalibration between advantaged and disadvantaged groups’ perceptions of allyship. Studies 1a-2b demonstrate that advantaged groups (men in Studies 1a-1b; White people in Studies 2a-2b) underestimate how much disadvantaged groups (women in Studies 1a-1b; Black people in Studies 2a-2b) would appreciate various acts of allyship. Studies 3 and 4 examine real, behavioral contexts whereby advantaged groups underestimate disadvantaged groups’ appreciation of allyship. Study 5 demonstrates that expectations about appreciation predict allyship intentions. Study 6 reveals people do not anticipate our primary pattern of findings (instead, assuming advantaged groups overestimate appreciation) and Study 7 explores whether disadvantaged groups appreciate allyship differently depending on it is performed by an advantaged group member or fellow disadvantaged group member.

Keywords: allyship, diversity, inclusion