A Comparison of Symbolic Racism Theory and Social Dominance Theory as Explanations for Racial Policy Attitudes

1 June 1992

journal article
research article
Published by Taylor & Francis in The Journal of Social Psychology

Vol. 132 (3) , 377-395
https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.1992.9924713

Abstract

Symbolic racism and social dominance theories were compared by reanalysis of data from a national probability sample of 234 White Americans and by using observed-variables, structural equation models. Contrary to the conclusions reached by Jessor (1989), the results did not support the major contentions of symbolic racism theory; rather, they seemed more consistent with the assumptions of social dominance theory. The possibility that symbolic racism serves as an important legitimizing myth in American society is discussed.

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