Relevance of Individual-Level Residential Outcomes for Segregation Theory

Abstract

The residential outcomes that give rise to segregation index scores can be assessed in terms of whether they, and by implication the indices that rest on them, are relevant for investigating different theories of segregation dynamics. In the final analysis, theories of segregation must reckon with the micro-level dynamics that produce the residential patterns that aggregate indices summarize. It is easy to see how the residential outcome registered by S – namely, area racial mix (p) – is relevant for theories of residential attainment dynamics. For example, Lieberson advanced the hypothesis that segregation arises in part when Whites strive to maintain high levels of same-group contact and avoid more than incidental levels of contact with minorities (Lieberson 1980, 1981: 75; Lieberson and Carter 1982). Combining this hypothesis with the assumption that Whites have greater ability to influence residential dynamics leads to straightforward predictions regarding how S will vary when city racial composition varies over time or across cities. For example, the hypothesis that discrimination by Whites serves to keep White contact with Whites from falling below fairly high levels (say 85 % or higher) leads to the prediction that S will vary as a positive, nonlinear function of proportion Black in the city.