Modern Racism Scale

What is modern racism?

Modern racism, as defined by McConahay et al. in 1981, represents a form of prejudice that diverges from overt discrimination, instead presenting subtly and often masked in everyday interactions. Unlike traditional, explicit racism, modern racism manifests through ambivalence, a rejection of overtly racist behaviors while maintaining negative racial attitudes internally. This form of prejudice often includes denying structural inequalities or expressing resentment toward policies intended to promote racial equality. In 2024, modern racism can encompass aversive racism, microaggressions, and implicit biases, often emerging as indirect racial prejudice rather than blatant hostility.

Modern racists may deny racial discrimination or perceive programs that promote racial equality as “unnecessary,” reflecting a belief that racism is no longer an issue. These attitudes can have long-term effects, contributing to systemic inequality, perpetuating racial prejudice, and influencing decisions in workplaces, educational institutions, and public policies. Recognizing modern racism, whether as perceived discrimination or as a reflection of one’s own biases, plays a crucial role in promoting equality and inclusivity. Importantly, identifying and addressing these subtle forms of discrimination can empower individuals to recognize and mitigate the effects of racial attitudes.

Identifying and acknowledging modern racism, in oneself or others, requires a deeper awareness of how perceived racism impacts mental health, social relationships, and professional environments. Healthcare professionals and social scientists studying racial discrimination often use the Modern Racism Scale to understand these subtle biases and develop strategies to address and reduce their effects, thereby promoting more inclusive environments.

What is the Modern Racism Scale?

The Modern Racism Scale, developed by social psychologists McConahay, Hardee, and Batts in 1981, was designed to identify subtle or covert racist attitudes that persist even when overt expressions of racism have decreased. Rooted in social psychology, this scale shifts the focus from blatant "old-fashioned" racism to more subtle forms, which McConahay termed "modern racism." While early studies primarily used the scale to assess white racism, today, it serves a broader purpose, offering insights into implicit biases and less obvious discriminatory beliefs within diverse populations.

The scale emphasizes the cognitive component of modern racism, measuring biases that often manifest as rationalized or “acceptable” forms of prejudice rather than overt discrimination. These beliefs might include assumptions about racial equality, perceived threats to societal norms, or justifications for existing racial disparities. By gauging the degree of perceived justification for prejudice, the scale brings awareness to ingrained racist attitudes, prompting greater reflection on personal biases.

How to conduct the Modern Racism Scale

Using the Modern Racism Scale involves a structured process to help gather reliable and meaningful responses. Our template includes both the modern racism questions and old-fashioned racism questions, as developed by McConahay and colleagues. This approach mirrors the original study’s method of interlacing unrelated filler questions with target questions to prevent respondents from discerning the survey’s purpose, thus reducing response bias.

Step 1: Access the template

To begin, download the Modern Racism Scale template by clicking “Use template” on this page. You can also download a fillable, non-customizable PDF by clicking “Download.”

Step 2: Prepare the questionnaire

Review the template and ensure you’ve included filler questions as needed to mask the purpose of the survey. Scramble the questions as well to reduce the likelihood of the respondent recognizing a pattern.

Step 3: Administer the survey to the respondent

Conduct the survey in a controlled setting, whether in-person or digitally, where respondents can answer without interruption. Remind respondents to consider each question thoughtfully and respond honestly.

Step 4: Calculate the responses

Tally the responses, giving each answer a value as indicated in the scoring guide. Avoid sharing these values with the respondent to prevent any bias in responses.

Step 5: Compile data and use insights

Once you’ve tallied responses, compile the results in a report. This report can inform broader policy changes, support individual or group counseling efforts, or guide the development of training programs to address identified biases.

Modern Racism Scale scoring and interpretation

Scoring the Modern Racism Scale requires summing the values assigned to each response. Positive values correlate with responses that indicate racist attitudes, while negative values reflect a lack of these attitudes or support for racial equality. Each item has a specific direction for scoring, as indicated in the template, with certain items reverse-scored.

There is no fixed cutoff score, as this tool was primarily used for research among a population; instead, a higher total score generally signals a stronger tendency toward racist beliefs or attitudes. Interpretation should consider the context of use, such as for research or individual counseling, as well as the overall scale and patterns in responses.

Next steps

After administering and interpreting the Modern Racism Scale, professionals can take several meaningful steps to use the results effectively:

• Address ingrained racist attitudes in counseling: If the scale is used within an individual counseling setting, develop a personalized plan to help the patient recognize and address any unconscious biases or ingrained racist beliefs, fostering awareness and self-reflection.
• Inform institutional policy-making: When applied in a research context, the results can guide policies aimed at reducing racial discrimination within institutions, whether in education, healthcare, or workplaces, by identifying prevalent racist attitudes.
• Provide targeted support for those experiencing racism: Use the data to improve resources and support for individuals or communities affected by perceived discrimination, offering training or support groups to empower affected individuals.
• Educate and raise awareness: If high scores on the scale indicate persistent issues, consider creating educational initiatives to address common misconceptions and foster inclusivity through workshops or public awareness campaigns.

References

McConahay, J. B., Hardee, B. B., & Batts, V. (1981). Has racism declined in America? It depends on who is asking and what is asked. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 25(4), 563–579. https://doi.org/10.1177/002200278102500401