Role Playing and Group Experience to Facilitate Attitude and Value Changes among Black and White Police Officers

Abstract

White and black police officers were seen in weekly sessions involving role playing and interpersonal feedback during academy training, the purpose being to improve communication and relationships between black and white officers. Contrary to expectation, white officers became both more sensitized to the presence of black‐white problems and more prejudiced toward blacks, whereas black officers who attended became more positive toward whites. It was felt that results were due in part to a perception by white officers that the program was initiated for the benefit of blacks rather than for all.