Exploring the counteractive effects of mandating diversity training: Solution aversion, reactance, and polarized...

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Science

Background:

• Organizations often use mandatory diversity training to combat social inequity.
• Psychological reactance theory and solution aversion offer insights into reactions to mandates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how mandatory diversity training impacts perceptions of social inequity.
• To explore the role of psychological reactance and political polarization.

Main Methods:

• Four preregistered experiments were conducted.
• Studies involved recalling or anticipating mandatory vs. optional diversity training.
• Moderation by political orientation was analyzed.

Main Results:

• Mandatory diversity training increased psychological reactance and denial of social inequity.
• This effect was specific to diversity training and not other mandatory training.
• Political conservatism moderated the relationship between reactance and denial.

Conclusions:

• Mandatory diversity training can exacerbate political polarization regarding social inequity.
• The signaling effect of mandates is counteracted by reactance-induced denial.
• Understanding these repercussions is crucial for diversity policy effectiveness.