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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01zw12z849m
Title: Perceived Norms, Diversity Rationales, and Supreme Court Decisions on Diversity Initiatives in Higher Education Admissions Decisions
Authors: McQuigge, Rachel
Advisors: Sinclair, Stacey
Department: Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
Class Year: 2022
Abstract: Summary The Supreme Court has favored using instrumental diversity rationales while making decisions on diversity initiatives in higher education admissions decisions. That is, diversity initiatives are allowed because they serve the purposes of institutions, rather than for purposes of justice. Research into the consequences of employing the instrumental diversity rationale has established adverse effects on minority students at these institutions. Supreme Court decisions can impact perceived norms, feelings and behaviors. The question this paper seeks to answer is: do the diversity rationales utilized in Supreme Court decisions impact perceived norms, personal attitudes, and behaviors? Participants were White U.S. citizens. They were exposed to an experimental condition that manipulated the diversity rationale in the reasoning behind the Supreme Court supporting the use of diversity initiatives in higher education admissions processes. Participants then answered a series of survey items about their perceived norms, personal attitudes, feelings, and behaviors. A series of ANOVAs, t-tests and linear regressions were performed. The survey items served as dependent variables, with the experimental condition as the independent. Results Overall, which diversity rationale participants were exposed to did not influence perceived norms, personal attitudes, feelings, or positivity. The diversity rationale participants were exposed to did influence their behavior and trust in the Supreme Court. Conservative participants did not endorse either diversity rationale. Liberal participants were more influenced by the moral diversity rationale. Policy Conclusion Further research into the impact of Supreme Court decisions on perceived norms is called. Further exploration into the influence of diversity rationales employed by institutions is essential. Perceived norms are considered a vehicle for social change. Instrumental diversity rationales seem to confirm preconceived notions of diversity-benefits ideology. Understanding the consequences of the relationship between perceived norms and diversity rationales is imperative if the instrumental diversity rationale remains widespread. Institutions of higher education, if truly invested in the quality of a learning environment for all, need to seriously consider the consequences of employing the instrumental diversity rationale on marginalized students.
URI: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dsp01zw12z849m
Type of Material: Princeton University Senior Theses
Language: en
Appears in Collections:Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, 1929-2023

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