The Effects of the Findings of the U.S. National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders: An Experimental Study of Attitude Change

Abstract

One hundred and nineteen white student Ss responded to semantic differential, behavioral differential, Likert scales and other measures tapping attitudes, perceptions and factual information relevant to the race riots of the mid to late 1960's. Items were factor analyzed and composite scores on the resulting factors were used in later analyses. Thirty-seven experimental Ss were given reading material containing a summary of the salient points made in the Kerner Commission Report. Twenty-nine controls received dummy reading material. The questionnaire was re-administered three weeks later to both groups. A number of significant shifts in attitudes were obtained; these were typically in a direction more consistent with the findings of the Kerner Commission Report, which advocated social change. Significant shifts occurred in Ss' evaluation of changing social policy as well as in their expression of behavioral intentions toward stimulus persons of both races who strongly favored civil rights action. Attitude shifts were accompanied by increases in factual information. Negative relationships between measures of racial prejudice and semantic differential evaluations of busing children to promote school integration (r =-.39; p<.001) and federal enforcement of open housing (r =-.47; p<.OOl) were obtained, suggesting that attitudes toward such issues are significantly related to racial prejudice. It was suggested that, as potential instruments of attitude change, reports of this and similar Commissions set up to study social problems and make recommendations for social policy should be studied to determine the extent of their impact on attitudes.