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.

Journal

Group Processes and Intergroup Relations

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

ISBN/ISSN

1461-7188

Edition

N/A

Issue

Pages Count

Location

N/A

Publisher

Sage

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1177/13684302211010932