Researchers have found that affirmative action programs carry a stigma of incompetence, no matter how qualified a person is for a job.

Studies have shown that even highly qualified individuals who are beneficiaries of affirmative action programs are sometimes viewed as less competent or accomplished due to the assumption that they received their position or admission purely due to their minority status. This is known as the "stigma of incompetence" and has been identified as a potential negative consequence of affirmative action programs.