Attitudes toward racial minorities can have powerful effects on the voting behavior of Americans. This is true even in the great majority of campaigns where candidates avoid explicit references to race or direct appeals to racial attitudes. This doctoral dissertation research explores the psychological processes through which race can influence the voters' evaluations of candidates in the absence of explicit racial messages. Specifically this study draws upon theories from cognitive psychology to develop and test a psychologically realistic model both of the process by which voters draw inferences about the racial positions of candidates and of the effects these inferences have on support for candidates. A series of laboratory experiments involving fictitious candidates and campaigns will be conducted in which the effects of various campaign slogans are assessed. When completed this study will increase our understanding of the continuing effects of race on political attitudes and behavior in the United States.
