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Roles of Linked Fate and Black Political Knowledge In Roles of Linked Fate and Black Political Knowledge in Shaping Black Responses to Group Messages Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Brianna Nicole Mack Graduate Program in Political Science The Ohio State University 2018 Dissertation Committee Kathleen McGraw, Advisor Thomas Nelson, Co-Advisor Nathaniel Swigger Ismail K. White 1 Copyrighted by Brianna Nicole Mack 2018 2 Abstract This dissertation explores the relationship between linked fate, political knowledge and message cues. I argue there is a relationship between Black political knowledge, linked fate, and attitudes that varies based on the salience of the issue in question, the source of the message, tone of the message and the recipient’s strength of linked fate and amount of Black political knowledge they possessed. This argument draws on research on political attitudes, political knowledge, and psycho-political behavior within the Black community. I conceptualize Black political knowledge as the range of factual information about Black racial group’s role in and relationship with the American political system stored in one’s memory. Afterwards I introduce the Black political knowledge battery, a 14-item measurement of said concept with questions about the historical, policy, and partisanship aspects of the racial group’s political behavior. Afterwards, I use the battery in a survey experiment to examine the relationship between issue salience, message cues, linked fate and Black political knowledge. The data analysis chapter determined support for as well as rejection of the theoretical framework, albeit aspects of the model. Results determined linked fate and Black political knowledge have profound influence on Black responses to group messages regardless of the salience of the issue in the message. However, that influence can be affected by message cues in less racially salient treatments. Likewise, a two-way ii significant interaction between Black political knowledge and linked fate was discovered, where highly linked and knowledgeable individuals give vastly different responses than high-linked, low-knowledge individuals. This finding supports the theoretical assertion that there is a difference between linked fate and Black political knowledge, such that those who are highly linked but have low knowledge will be more likely to agree with the message described. iii Dedication To my mother, Mable H. Mack, and in memory of my aunts Mary A. Moseley and Adel L. Hatcher for wanting me to have everything I wanted for myself. Thanks for believing in me. iv Acknowledgments “My soul looks back and wonders how I got over” - Clara Ward 1950 First, I want to give glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the head of my life; Who has watched over and protected me; Who has ordered my steps and allowed me to be curious about social and political phenomena; Who has provided solace and comfort when this work seemed unbearable and told me to keep going when I thought this degree was unattainable. I know that everything that I am and will be is in accordance to Your Divine Plan. I’m humbly grateful to know that my journey is a testimony to Your unfailing guidance and protection. To my advisor, Kathleen McGraw, thanks for everything you’ve done for me, molding me into the scholar I am. You reeled me in from crazy tangents and encouraged me to explore more when I didn’t see the potential in doing so. I’m thankful for your patient guidance over the last 6 years. To the rest of my committee, Tom Nelson, Nathaniel Swigger, and Ismail White, thanks for agreeing to serve on my committee. I realize my graduate journey was full of twists and turns and there were times where it seemed like I would never find a dissertation topic, get the data, or finish this program. I am grateful for your expertise, advice, and support. v To my mentor, Andra Gillespie, thanks for your unwavering support and careful attention. I still can’t believe that only 9 years have passed since I enrolled in your Black Politics course as a Freshman. You helped me quantify and organize my research interests. You supported my interests and endeavors. When situations changed, you advocated for me behind the scenes and encouraged me to do so for myself. You listened to my concerns and advised me on my next steps. I’m so blessed to have you in my corner. To Julian Wamble and Chryl Laird, thanks for being there for me when I didn’t want to be there myself. Thanks for supporting me and having those hard conversations which contributed towards my development as a scholar today. Without you two, I would not have any Black politics scholars that I could engage with on a regular basis. The snatchings saved me, and I am thankful. To the larger OSU family, in particular Robert Bennet III, the Bell National Resource Center, Wendy Smooth, and Korrie Edwards - Thanks for your support in providing feedback on my ideas, participants for many iterations of pilot studies related to this project, and encouragement on ways to promote distinguish myself in the academic job market. To my counselor and psychiatrist at the OSU Counseling and Consultation Center, thanks for helping me keep my sanity throughout my time here at OSU. To my family and friends, thanks for your kind words, patience, and support. Your understanding of my weird working and sleeping habits, keeping me grounded, and making sure I had enough rest, food, and socialization. To my church family at Williams Memorial CME and Stewart Memorial CME, thanks for your prayers, phone calls, cards, kind words, and support…The Lord answered our prayers. vi To my best friend, Ashley Jordan, thanks for everything – for being an impromptu counselor, advisor, editor, researcher, and dissertation coach. I wouldn’t be at this point without your support. And finally, to my significant other, Donnell Harmon, words can’t truly express how thankful I am to have you in my life. Your support and encouragement are beyond measure. You listen to me as I worked through iterations of theory after theory, battery after battery, data analysis after analysis and helped me identify ways to improve so this would be a stronger project and I would be a stronger scholar. You push me to be more, do more, and see more while making sure the small details don’t get in the way. You’re the iron that sharpens my iron, and I love you for that. vii Vita EDUCATION M.A., Political Science, Major: American Politics, Minor: Political Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 2015 B.A., Major: Political Science, Minor: African American Studies, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2012 ACADEMIC EMPLOYMENT Graduate Teaching Associate, Political Science, The Ohio State University, 2013-2018 Graduate Fellow, Political Science, The Ohio State University, 2012-2013 Field of Study Major Field: Political Science viii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iv Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Vita ................................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xvi Chapter 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2. Theoretical Framework .................................................................................... 9 Theory ........................................................................................................................... 29 Chapter 3. Measuring Black Political Knowledge ............................................................ 38 Questionnaire Composition .......................................................................................... 55 Creating a Final Black Political Knowledge Battery from the Pilot Battery ................ 65 Validity ......................................................................................................................... 71 Chapter 4. Research Design .............................................................................................. 83 Chapter 5. Data Analyses ................................................................................................ 110 Low Salience Issue ..................................................................................................... 112 Medium Salience Issue ............................................................................................... 145 High Salience Issue ..................................................................................................... 170 Discussion of Results .................................................................................................. 190 Chapter 6. Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 193 Bibliography ..................................................................................................................
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