The significance of affirmative action for the souls of White folk: Further implications of a helping model

We develop further our model of affirmative action as help (Pratkanis & Tur ner 1996b; Turner & Pratkanis, 1994) by looking at the impact of aid on the donor. White Americans often take one of three approaches to affirmative a ction. First, they can reject affirmative action because of their own perso nal frustrations. Second, they can engage in selective aid that maintains t he basic patterns of social dominance. Both of these approaches can damage the psychological functioning of Whites. Third, White Americans can proacti vely seek to remove discriminatory barriers in a process we call democratic altruism, thereby opening the possibility of learning from diverse others and growth as a person. We conclude by discussing tactics for promoting dem ocratic altruism.