Publisher's Synopsis
Using a variety of social/psychological methodologies and formats, the articles in this special issue address the content, context, and consequences of affirmative action from a wide range of perspectives. Some use large-scale social surveys; some use the field study approach; others use the case and archival methodologies; still others employ laboratory experimentation. The perspectives range from social/psychological to organizational to sociological and employ a broad base of theoretical groundings including attributional ambiguity, aversive and institutional racism, helping models, procedural justice, and intergroup relations.
All of the papers underscore the critical need for much more empirical research and theoretical development on affirmative action, its implementation, and its consequences. More research is needed on issues such as gender and racial differences and similarities in reactions to affirmative action, factors that influence the success and failure of affirmative action programs, and social and organizational influences on affirmative action. The editors hope that this issue will serve as a catalyst for future research that can help to facilitate positive consequences and mitigate the negative outcomes of affirmative action.
