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Reinvigorating the Contact Hypothesis REINVIGORATING THE CONTACT HYPOTHESIS by MARTHA CAMARGO A DISSERTATION Presented to the Department of Sociology and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy June 2017 DISSERTATION APPROVAL PAGE Student: Martha Camargo Title: Reinvigorating the Contact Hypothesis This dissertation has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the Department of Sociology by: Caleb Southworth Chairperson Richard York Core Member Aaron Gullickson Core Member Joseph Lowndes Institutional Representative and Scott L. Pratt Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded June 2017 ii © 2017 Martha Camargo iii DISSERTATION ABSTRACT Martha Camargo Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology June 2017 Title: Reinvigorating the Contact Hypothesis This work is inspired by Lipsitz (1998) and Allport (1954) because both authors connect micro level processes to social macro level patterns. Allport’s Nature of Prejudice sought to understand patterns of anti-Semitism as connected to a larger social context. From this work, Allport developed the contact hypothesis which is premised on the idea that diversity helps alleviate racial tensions. Lipsitz’ Possessive Investment in Whiteness connects White racial privilege to a history of racial social inequality. In conintuum, I develop the nuances on prejudice formation as it leads to the denial of racial privilege or to the conflation of privileges as oppression. While I focus on White racial privilege, the theoretical contribution of my research develops the framework for individual privilege formation. I then draw upon Bonilla-Silva’s (2013) racial colorblind theory to emphasize the connection between privilege and larger patterns of racial attitudes. The macro level contribution of this dissertation focuses on patterns of overt and colorblind attitudes as affected by racial segregation, social inequality, and respondent characteristics. Data was gathered from the 2000 General Social Survey, 2010 GSS, and U.S. Census county data and applied to a hierarchical linear model. Due to sample selection, this research focuses on racial Whites’ attitudes about the racial Black population. I use measures of racial segregation as proxies for racial contact. I find patterns of racial tolerance through a iv ‘separate but equal’ storyline among White-Black segregation. When using, social demographics with all minorities included, I find that Whites’ attitudes about racial Blacks are attenuated. This finding supports the literature that non-Black racial minorities act as buffers for White-Black racial relations. Racial diversity is one element in helping alleviate negative racial sentiments, but patterns of segregation and social inequality impact the benefits of this racial diversity. v CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Martha Camargo GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois DEGREES AWARDED: Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, 2017, University of Oregon Master of Science, Sociology, 2010, University of Oregon Bachelor of Arts, Spanish Major, Sociology Minor, Finance Minor, Human Resource Minor 2007, Knox College AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Research Methods Social Psychology Social Inequality Ethnic Studies PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Graduate Employee Teaching Fellow, Department of Ethnic Studies, University of Oregon 2013-2016 Graduate Employee Research Fellow, Labor Education Research Center, University of Oregon 2012-2013 Graduate Employee Teaching Fellow, Department of Sociology, University of Oregon 2007-2012 Program Analyst, Bureau of Fiscal Operations, U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, Chicago, IL; June 2007-Sept 2007 GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Sociology Department Graduate School Research Award for Data Collection and Presentation; University of Oregon, 2013 Modern Languages Sally Coleman Prize in Spanish Literature; Knox College, 2007 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This dissertation means more to me than solidifying myself as a scholar. Seminars were only the beginning of the academic rigor. This dissertation became a life experience. My knowledge was shaped through the countless discussions outside the classrooms. When I entered the program, I relied heavily on the graduate student body and their partners. Our quest for knowledge and justice allowed us to cross paths. Class and age diversity made it easy to be a part of this community. For all those who touched my graduate life: I appreciate, respect, and admire your characters as much as your academic work. I thank you for the support through countless woes and for offering sincere advice without judgement. Despite accomplishing this dissertation, I still hope that one day I can be as smart and as strong as my mother. for she possesses a deep courage stemming from life lessons of pain and joy. Her eloquence is derived from these experiences of enduring strength. Her knowledge outshines any degree I’ve earned. Her ever-present support is my backbone. To my maternal grandfather, whose character is grounded in honesty and humility, taught me the strength of the land. To my immediate family, I made it this far because you are always there for me. To my extended family, while we do not see each other often, family is an important part of my identity. To all my friends who stayed in touch during this decade of life exploration, thank you for your strength and love. Thanks to faculty and staff of Ethnic Studies whose work helped solidify my theoretical contributions. I want to thank Joseph Lowndes, as an affiliate of Ethnic Studies and a Political Science Professor, for his time and participation on my committee. I want to thank Caleb Southworth, Aaron Gullickson, Clare Evans, and the Labor Education Research Center vii who contributed to my continued development in research methods. I want to thank the UO Information Technology department and their graduate employees who worked closely with me through the entire data acquisition process. Last, a special thanks to Richard York and Theresa Koford who were there through every stage of my personal and graduate academic growth—I could not ask for greater friends and mentors. viii I dedicate this dissertation to my mother Alicia Camargo Moreno Gaytán. ix TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. THEORY: REVISITING ALLPORT’S THE NATURE OF PREJUDICE EXPLAINING CONTACT THEORY THROUGH ITS FUNDAMENTALS: PREJUDICES AND EMOTIONS ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 The Dynamics of Prejudice ................................................................................................... 2 Cognition ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Tolerance ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Privileged Prejudices ............................................................................................................... 9 Emotions ....................................................................................................................................... 11 Scapegoats .................................................................................................................................... 13 Legitimized Anger ..................................................................................................................... 14 Internalization of White Supremacy ................................................................................. 16 Inner Conflict for Racialized Whites .......................................................................... 16 Inner Conflict for Racialized Minorities ................................................................... 19 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 23 II. DATA, MEASURES, AND METHODS: HIERARCHICAL LINEAR MODELING, SEGREGATION, AND SCALE CONSTRCUTION……………………………………………… 24 Method: Random Intercept Hierarchical Linear Model ............................................ 25 Dependent Variable: Scale Construction ........................................................................ 27 Segregation Measures ............................................................................................................. 31 Isolation Index..................................................................................................................... 33 Dissimilarity Index ............................................................................................................ 35 x Chapter Page Exposure (Interaction) Index ....................................................................................... 38 Entropy Index ...................................................................................................................... 40 Segregation Coding Interpretation ............................................................................ 42 Social Inequality Indicators .................................................................................................
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