WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court decision today upholding the right of institutions of higher education to employ race-conscious admissions practices to promote the many educational benefits a diverse campus offers to all students.
“Research has shown that when campuses lack sufficient diversity, underrepresented minority students may suffer psychologically, resulting in worse academic performance,” said APA President Susan H. McDaniel, PhD. “Institutions of higher education have a compelling interest in fostering diversity to ensure that all students enjoy an atmosphere that is most conducive to learning, and that means ensuring that the student body reflects our heterogeneous society.”
APA filed an amicus brief in the case, Fisher v. The University of Texas at Austin. In 2008, Abigail Fisher sued the university for racial discrimination after being denied admission. Fisher, who is white, blamed the university’s affirmative action program, which considers race and ethnicity when reviewing certain candidates.
“Research clearly demonstrates that exposure to diversity enhances critical thinking and problem-solving ability,” McDaniel added. “Campus diversity also improves other attributes related to academic success, including student satisfaction and motivation, general knowledge, and intellectual self-confidence.”
Social science research confirms that the benefits of admissions policies like UT’s extend far beyond admissions. As the Supreme Court long has recognized, diversity in higher education enhances the educational experience for all students.
This was the second time the Supreme Court heard this case. In 2013, it vacated a decision of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in favor of the university. A second hearing by that court also found in favor of the university, leading to the appeal decided today by the Supreme Court.
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes more than 117,500 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.