Disadvantaged group members’ evaluations and support for allies: Investigating the role of communication style and group membership

Radke, Helena R.M.; Kutlaca, Maja; Becker, Julia C.

Abstract

Limited research has examined disadvantaged group members’ evaluations and support for allies who engage in collective action on their behalf. Across two studies (Study 1 N = 264 women; Study 2 N = 347 Black Americans) we manipulated an ally’s communication style and group membership to investigate whether these factors play a role in how allies are perceived and received. We found that participants evaluated allies less positively and were less willing to support them when they communicated their support in a dominant compared to a neutral way. Heightened perceptions that the ally was trying to take over the movement and make themselves the center of attention explained these results. However, we found no effect of whether the ally belonged to another disadvantaged group or not. Our findings contribute to the growing literature which seeks to understand the complexities associated with involving allies in collective action.

Citation

Radke, H. R., Kutlaca, M., & Becker, J. C. (2022). Disadvantaged group members’ evaluations and support for allies: Investigating the role of communication style and group membership. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 25(6), 1437-1456. https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302211010932

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jul 16, 2021
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Deposit Date: Oct 12, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2023
• Journal: Group Processes and Intergroup Relations
• Print ISSN: 1368-4302
• Electronic ISSN: 1461-7188
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1437-1456
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/13684302211010932
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1231017