Abstract #302191

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JSM 2003 Abstract #302191
Activity Number: 58
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Sunday, August 3, 2003 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
Sponsor: Social Statistics Section
Abstract - #302191
Title: Statistical Thinking Applied to the Affirmative-Action Reverse-Discrimination Controversy
Author(s): Golde I. Holtzman*+
Companies: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Address: 406-A Hutcheson Hall, Blacksburg, VA, 24061-0001,
Keywords: quotas
Abstract:

The controversy over affirmative action is exacerbated by the notion of reverse discrimination. "Majority" applicants rated below the "majority" threshold and above the "minority" threshold are cited as victims of so-called reverse discrimination. They are led to believe that they would have been admitted (or hired), if only there were no affirmative action. In reality, only a small fraction of these between-thresholds majority applicants would be admitted in the absence of affirmative action. On the other hand, a large fraction of the between-threshold minority applicants would be denied in the absence of affirmative action. Statistical thinking can be used to quantify and clarify the actual consequences of affirmative action, and, to some extent, one hopes, debunk exaggerated notions of reverse discrimination.

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