Work

Trust, But Verify: How (In)consistent Allyship Shapes Disadvantaged Group Members’ Perceptions

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Advantaged group members can play a significant role in advocating for social change on behalf of disadvantaged groups. Drawing on Kelley’s covariation model and the attribution-identity model of ally sincerity, we argue that allyship that is inconsistent over time raises doubt about advantaged group members’ motives. In four studies conducted in theUnited States, we found that Black Americans (Study 1, N = 330) perceived White Americans who participated consistently in protests for racial equality as more internally motivated and as better allies than those protesting for the first time, and that LGBTQIA+ individuals viewed inconsistent (i.e., decreasing or alternating) participation over time by straight allies as less internally motivated and less trustworthy than consistent participation (Study 2, 3, and 4, N s = 287, 601, 434) or a control condition (Study 3). Our results highlight the importance of sustained allyship for positive perceptions of advantaged group allies.

Source: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI: 10.1177/01461672261432440

Authors: Patricia Ciordas, Charlotte E. Moser, Shaun Wiley, Anna Kende, Yasin Koc

Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, The College of New Jersey, University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Social and Intergroup Psychology

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Science Foundation