NCJ Number
88566
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1983) Pages: 21-26
Date Published
1983
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reports the results of a project that used a one-group, pretest-posttest experimental design to increase participating police officers' understanding of the nature of prejudice, improve attitude identification skills, and reduce prejudicial attitudes.
Abstract
Project effectiveness was assessed by comparing matched pre- and posttest scores in four categories: achievement, similarity, friendliness, and social distance. Research suggests that police officers have distinct forms of prejudice and that they are found in each of the project's categories. The participating officers, when provided information concerning belief systems of 'stimulus officers,' reacted primarily in terms of similarity of beliefs and only secondarily in terms of race. However, visible race effects were seen in sensitive items on the social distance scale when race compared, possibly reflecting institutionalized areas of prejudice. The project was most successful in promoting democratic values where institutionalized policies, cliches, or casual transient relations with minority group members were concerned. Tables, notes, and about 20 references are included.