Exploring Antecedents To and Behavioral Consequences of White Privilege Awareness

Authors:

Abstract: White people who recognize their racial privilege report more positive feelings toward racial minorities and support for progressive social policies. However, existing research has yet to test whether white privilege recognition leads to actual activist behavior. We address this gap, identifying an antecedent to white privilege awareness—experience of identity-based disadvantage at work—and behavioral consequences of privilege awareness. In three correlational and experimental studies (N = 2,328), we find that white men who have experienced disadvantage based on a social category (e.g., sexual orientation) are more likely to recognize their personal white privilege at work. Next, in a time-lagged study (N = 1,310), we find that white people who recognize their white privilege are more likely to engage in activism behaviors (e.g., donating to the NAACP). In this research, we are the first to demonstrate the positive impact of privilege recognition on engagement in actual, antiracist, activism behavior.

Track: DEI

Keywords: white privilege awareness, experience of disadvantage, antiracist activism