How Accurate Are Perceptions of Social Statistics about Blacks and Whites?

Data collected in 1995 via a random-digit-dial telephone survey of MI residents (N = 823 whites & 216 blacks) are drawn on to (1) evaluate the accuracy of their perceptions regarding black-white differences in income & out-of-wedlock births, & (2) determine if these perceptions are a fun...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public opinion quarterly 2003-07, Vol.67 (2), p.237-243
Main Authors: Kaplowitz, Stan A, Fisher, Bradley J, Broman, Clifford L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Black White Differences
Educational Attainment
Illegitimacy
Income Inequality
Michigan
Race
Social Perception
Statistics
Welfare Dependency
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Summary:Data collected in 1995 via a random-digit-dial telephone survey of MI residents (N = 823 whites & 216 blacks) are drawn on to (1) evaluate the accuracy of their perceptions regarding black-white differences in income & out-of-wedlock births, & (2) determine if these perceptions are a function of race or education. Mean statistical perceptions are compared to actual statistical data from the US Census. Results indicate that few respondents misperceived the direction of any racial differences or erroneously replied that no differences existed (except for whites' mistaken belief that black & white male college graduates earned the same income); the size of these differences, however, was subject to misperceptions, even among well-educated respondents. Whites grossly underestimated the number of out-of-wedlock births (& corresponding welfare dependency) among blacks, even if they held negative attitudes toward blacks in general. Whites correctly perceived black economic disadvantage, but also underestimated it, whereas blacks overestimated racial differences in both income & out-of-wedlock births; several reasons for these findings are advanced. 2 Tables, 17 References. K. Hyatt Stewart
ISSN:0033-362X
1537-5331
DOI:10.1086/374400