The Effect of Race on Assertive Behavior and Responses to Assertive Behavior in Small Groups / Susan Stavert Roper.

This study analyzes data collected in the summer of 1970. Fifty-seven groups, composed of two white and two black junior high school boys, were filmed as they participated in a cooperative task. Observers scored task-related interaction and socio-emotional behavior from video tapes of each group. Attitudes and perceptions of one another and of the task of the subjects (Ss) were obtained from interviews with Ss. The study focused on the assertive member of each group to investigate if the race of the assertive affected group members' reactions toward him and his behavior in the group. The investigator predicted that black assertives would not be as well liked nor as highly evaluated as white assertives; and that white subjects would direct more negative behavior toward black assertives than toward white assertives. The hypotheses, however, were not confirmed by the results. The study nevertheless suggests that more cooperative tasks should be used in situations where interpersonal relations are important. In integrated classrooms, a curriculum including cooperative tasks might increase the possibility of interracial harmony. [Because of the quality of the typeface of the original document, some pages will not be completely legible when reproduced.] (Author/JW)

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