Criterion/Predictive
From the outset, symbolic racism has predicted racial policy preferences that each disadvantage Black
Americans, independent of ideology, party identification, nonracial values, and more traditional racial attitudes
(see above; Sears & Henry, 2005 ). Some argue that such policy preferences are based on perceived or actual real-
istic group conflict ( Bobo, 1983 ) or on the particulars of each policy ( Sniderman et al., 2000 ). Whatever the impact
of those variables on policy preferences, symbolic racism clearly has predictive effects ( Henry & Sears, 2002 ).
Location
Henry, P.J., & Sears, D.O. (2002). The Symbolic Racism 2000 Scale. Political Psychology, 23 (2), 253 /C0283.
Results and Comments
Although its theoretical origin in early childhood experience is less than established, the survival and utility of
the symbolic racism measure is impressive. The SRS qualifies as modern and symbolic because it manifests in a
racially biased pattern of policy references rather than self-reported prejudices against Black people as a group.
The SRS is the self-report benchmark for comparing all other forms of contemporary racial prejudice, which are
measured by even less direct methods.
SYMBOLIC RACISM SCALE
Blacks Should Work Harder
1.It’s really a matter of some people not trying hard
enough; if blacks would only try harder, they could
be just as well off as whites. (1, strongly agree ;
2,somewhat agree ;3 ,somewhat disagree ;4 ,strongly
disagree )
2.Irish, Italian, Jewish, and many other minorities
overcame prejudice and worked their way up. Blacks
should do the same without any special favors.
(1,strongly agree ;2 ,somewhat agree ;3 ,somewhat
disagree ;4 ,strongly disagree )
Demands for Special Favors
1.Some say that black leaders have been trying to push
too fast. Others feel that they haven’t pushed fast
enough. What do you think? (1, trying to push too fast ;
2,going too slowly ;3 ,moving at about the right speed )
2.How much of the racial tension that exists in the
United States today do you think blacks are
responsible for creating? (1, all of it ;2 ,most;3 ,some ;
4,not much at all )
Denial of Continuing Racial Discrimination
1.How much discrimination against blacks do you feel
there is in the United States today, limiting theirchances to get ahead? (R) (1, a lot;2 ,some ;3 ,just a
little;4 ,none at all )
2.Generations of slavery and discrimination have
created conditions that make it difficult for blacks to
work their way out of the lower class. (R) (1, strongly
agree ;2 ,somewhat agree ;3 ,somewhat disagree ;
4,strongly disagree )
Undeserved Outcomes
1.Over the past few years, blacks have gotten less than
they deserve (R) (1, strongly agree ;2 ,somewhat agree ;
3,somewhat disagree ;4 ,strongly disagree )
2.Over the past few years, blacks have gotten more
economically than they deserve. (1, strongly agree ;
2,somewhat agree ;3 ,somewhat disagree ;4 ,strongly
disagree )
Notes :
Items were originally embedded in several larger
social survey questionnaires, so no specific instruc-
tions appear in print.
The symbolic racism items from Henry & Sears
(2002) appear here, organized by themes.
(R) Reverse scored item.
Copyright Wiley. Reproduced with permission.
Implicit Association Test (Race) (IAT)
(Greenwald et al., 1998 ).
Variable
Immediate, spontaneous evaluative associations inform one subtle measure of racial bias, the racial IAT, which
is a subset of the broader theory and instrument for a variety of biases ( Greenwald et al., 1998, 2002 ). Although693 OVERVIEW OF THE MEASURES
VI. SOCIOCULTURAL INTERACTION AND CONFLICT