Racial Stereotypes, Attitudes, and Evaluations of and Behavioral Intentions Toward Negroes and Whites

Abstract

Two hundred subjects were asked to play the part of a Juvenile Court Judge in making evaluations of, and assigning sentences to, white and Negro juvenile offenders. Subjects also completed measures of racial attitude and of stereotyping. A moderate relationship between the attitude and stereotyping measures was found; these measures were also related to the evaluation of specific Negro offenders, in terms of their and in terms of the estimated distribution of personality traits. The evaluations of correctable potential were, in turn, significantly related to prescribed (sentences assigned) for the offenders. However, the attitude and stereotyping measures showed only a very slight relationship and no relationship, respectively, to prescribed. Subjects' general treatment style was the most powerful predictor of of Negroes. Variables which may have contributed to the nature of these relationships are discussed.