Using Inoculation to Protect Value-in-Diversity Attitudes: An Unsuccessful Test and a Nuanced Antidote

Abstract

This study tests McGuire’s (1961, 1962, 1964, 1970) inoculation theory as a strategy to protect value-in-diversity attitudes and investigates the impact of inoculation messages on minority and non-minority issue involvement. Results failed to support an overall inoculation effect, but instead indicate a more nuanced path to resistance within the organizational diversity context. Minority members experienced greater susceptibility of their pro-diversity attitudes, and inoculation posed a viable strategy for conferring attitudinal resistance with higher involvement levels.