The Effect of Latent Racist, Ethnic and Sexual Biases on Placement

Abstract

This article discusses the use of a factorial survey approach, adapted from Peter Rossi's work, in a study of the effect of gender and ethnic bias on the placement ofpastors. The rotation offactorial dimensions in combination with a large sample size strengthens possibilities for examining the influence of the respondents' characteristics and attitudes. This approach proved to be very helpful in measuring receptivity toward the appointment of women as pastors. Less than five percent of the total variance in receptivity for women and ethnic minority pastors is accounted for by the characteristics of these factorial objects. Although the receptivity toward placement across racial lines is not as favorable as that toward women clergy, the level of laity support for pastoral appointments made by judicatory leadership was quite high. Clergy perceived the level of laity support to be much lower than the laity actually indicated. Policy considerations are discussed regarding the research being done "inhouse " and the potential consequences of such studies on an open itineracy placement policy.