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theses

The present study examined the differences between Blacks and Whites’ perception of cronyism on the part of others. I also attempted to determine whether Whites and Blacks alike viewed cronyism as a means by which racial disparities are perpetuated in society. In that event, I expected participants to judge cronyism on the part of others as more normative when beneficiaries were White, as opposed to Black, regardless of race (Hypothesis 1). In fact, only Black participants viewed pro-White cronyism as more normal than pro-Black cronyism; White participants reported no differences. Further, I expected moral justification to reflect group-serving biases, such that participants would morally justify cronyism more when it benefits their ingroup than when it benefits outgroup members (Hypothesis 2). In fact, Blacks and Whites alike judged cronyism as more morally justified when Blacks benefited, as opposed to when Whites benefited. This suggests that both groups acknowledged White’s historical cronyism advantage by judging its continuation as more immoral. Finally, I expected that regardless of race, Black cronies would be selected over White cronies, due to Whites' motives to avoid bigotry and Blacks' motives to advance racial equality. This hypothesis was fully supported. Thus, Black participants supported each hypothesis, whereas Whites only supported my third hypothesis. Implications of the findings for the importance of investigating cronyism are discussed.

ETD_8396

M.S.

Includes bibliographical references

by Steven Jermaine Saint Aubin Jones

doi:10.7282/T3S185PN

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.