The influence of Latine history on perceptions of Latine protest

We conducted two studies testing the relationship between knowledge of Latine history and perceptions of Latine protest. In Study 1 ( N = 286) we explored potential individual difference predictors of non‐violent and violent protest perceptions and protest engagement. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that self‐reported knowledge of history relates to support for protest and willingness to engage in protest even when accounting for other relevant predictors of protest for racial justice. In Study 2 ( N = 333) we tested the hypothesis that exposure to Latine history (compared to mainstream White history) influences participants’ willingness to engage in non‐violent and violent protests, and their willingness to support a Latine‐relevant social cause. The results from Study 1 revealed that self‐reported knowledge of history relates to positive perceptions of non‐violent protest above and beyond other relevant predictors. The results from Study 2 suggested that exposure to Latine history induces a higher willingness to engage in protest and support a Latine cause. Discussion centers on knowledge of history as an underappreciated contributor to perceptions of protest.