White liberals are more likely than conservatives to talk down to minorities, according to a new study.
"White liberals self-present less competence to minorities than to other whites — that is, they patronize minorities stereotyped as lower status and less competent," according to the abstract written by researchers Cydney H. Dupree of Yale and Susan T. Fiske of Princeton.
The study reviewed white Republican and Democratic presidential candidates' campaign speeches over the past 25 years to mostly white and vs. mostly minority audiences.
"Although Republican candidates did not significantly shift language based on audience racial composition, Democratic candidates used less competence-related language to minority audiences than to white audiences," according to the abstract.
Dupree expressed disappointment and surprise in the study's findings Democrats were more apt to use "words related to warmth" – such as "supportive" and "compassionate" – and a "downshift" in "words related to competence" (like "assertive" and "competitive").
"It was kind of an unpleasant surprise to see this subtle but persistent effect," she told the Washington Times. "Even if it's ultimately well-intentioned, it could be seen as patronizing."
Dupree did suggest the words of liberals were more "well-intentioned" than condescending.
"My hope is that this work will help include well-intentioned people who see themselves as allies but who may be unwittingly contributing to group divides," Dupree told the Times. "There is a broader need to include them in the conversation."
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