New study finds DEI initiatives creating ‘hostile attribution bias’
Beer giant Molson Coors recently made headlines for deciding to roll back their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. This move comes as new research from the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University reveals that some DEI training methods may actually cause psychological harm.
The study, released on Monday, found that participants exposed to DEI pedagogy covering subjects like race, religion, and caste showed significant increases in hostility and punitive attitudes. According to study co-author and NCRI Chief Science Officer Joel Finkelstein, these findings suggest that DEI programs may exacerbate tensions rather than alleviate them.
A Pew Research Center study from 2023 found that over half of American workers have participated in DEI training events or meetings at work, with an estimated $8 billion being spent annually on such programs. Despite this significant investment, the actual effectiveness of DEI programs remains a topic of debate.
The NCRI study focused on materials from thought leaders like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo, which emphasized awareness of and opposition to systemic oppression. Participants exposed to anti-racist materials were found to have heightened perceptions of racial bias and were more likely to support punitive measures against perceived offenders of so-called “microaggressions.”
Furthermore, the study found that anti-Islamophobia training led participants to detect bias against Muslims in neutral scenarios, even when no evidence of bias or unfairness was present. These results suggest that DEI narratives focusing heavily on victimization and systemic oppression may foster unwarranted distrust and suspicions of institutions.
Finkelstein highlighted the shift towards left-wing authoritarianism in the 21st century, with hostile attribution bias leading to increased intergroup hostility and authoritarian behavior. Instead of reducing bias, DEI materials were found to engender a hostile attribution bias, amplifying perceptions of prejudicial hostility where none was present.
In response to the study, Ibram X. Kendi criticized Fox News and the research, calling it “pseudoscience.” He dismissed the study as not being peer-reviewed and misrepresenting his work, labeling it as an attempt to bring scientific legitimacy to racist propaganda.
Overall, the study’s findings raise important questions about the impact of DEI programs on individuals’ perceptions and behaviors. As companies like Molson Coors reconsider their approach to workplace initiatives, it is crucial to continue evaluating the effectiveness and potential harm of DEI training methods.
