Abstract
ABSTRACTThere is widespread segregation between workplaces along ethnic lines. We expand upon previous research on segregation and social influence by testing the effect of the latter on personal diversity preferences, specifically in employees’ selection into hypothetical workplaces. In a survey study with 364 European American respondents in three waves, participants complied with social consensus preferences for either more or less workplace diversity. The new preference was sufficiently internalized to be retained largely unaltered a week later. Simulations suggest a self-reinforcing effect, where accurate social consensus information may be sufficient to change preferences. Given that initial choices were polarized, perceived social consensus can vary highly between people in society, and influencing this perception may feed back into greater acceptance of minorities.
Highlights
IntroductionSegregation is a social problem, but it is potentially a social dilemma
There is widespread segregation in society across several domains of our everyday lives, including segregation between workplaces, residential areas (e.g., Charles, 2003) and schools (e.g., Reardon & Owens, 2014; Saporito & Lareau, 1999), decreasing contact between people of different backgrounds and limiting the opportunity structure for large groups of people (e.g., Massey & Denton, 1993).Segregation is a social problem, but it is potentially a social dilemma
We showed that the stated preferences for diversity among American respondents would preserve or even lead to increased segregation, if realized (Bursell & Jansson, 2018)
Summary
Segregation is a social problem, but it is potentially a social dilemma It was illustrated in a famous theoretical model by Schelling (1969, 1971) that even if people were to prefer to live in mixed societies, society will still end up being residentially segregated if the preference for having at least a few group peers around you is stronger. Levels of segregation are higher than what would be preferred even by privileged individuals
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