Studies have found disparate perceptions of race
relations and discrimination between black and Asian students
at institutions of higher education. A linkage is made
between perceptions of race relations and attributions of
prejudice as a motivation. Attribution theory is developed as
a foundation for theoretical understanding of the attribution
of prejudice. Both theoretical and empirical literature is
reviewed to provide a rationale for expecting blacks to
attribute, and therefore perceive, more prejudice than Asians.
Several social factors are also identified which could serve
as additional reasons to expect blacks to attribute prejudice
more frequently than Asians.
Results from a questionnaire tapping prejudice
attributions are analyzed for significant group differences.
Those differences are then analyzed by ordinary least-squares
multiple regression. Support is found for the contention that
blacks have a greater tendency to make prejudice attributions
than do Asians. Support is found for the hypothesis that
perceptual differences between blacks and Asians are partially
due to differences in the tendency to attribute prejudice.
Perceptual differences are also found to be partially due to
citizenship status and race. A greater salience of race for
blacks and blacks' greater tendency to attribute prejudice are
suggested as reasons for observed differences in the
perceptions of black and Asian students. The greater salience
of race for blacks is discussed as a possible effect of
structural inequality, or as a cultural artifact originating
in past inequality.
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