The Paradoxical Influence of Policy Exposure on Affirmative Action Attitudes

Abstract

This commentary discusses recent research on the attitudes of employees who are affected by affirmative action to determine if societal‐level beliefs about discrimination lead to policy endorsement among individuals whose career outcomes are at stake. It is suggested that policy exposure in the workplace leads to greater endorsement rather than a “backlash” against affirmative action. The mechanisms producing this effect are discussed.