Three types of test bias are discussed: content bias, atmosphere bias, and use bias. Use bias is considered the most important. Tests reflect the bias in society, and eliminating test bias means eliminating racism and sexism in society. A six-stage model to eliminate racism and sexism is presented. (Author)

More valid assessments for multicultural populations would help counseling professionals better serve their clients and improve the lives of many people whose backgrounds and experiences may differ from those of White clients. Four common misuses of multicultural contexts are: (1) assuming that labeling something solves the problem; (2) using…

Three types of test bias are discussed: content bias, atmosphere bias, and use bias. While much concern has been expressed about the content of tests or the atmosphere in which they are given, it is more important to focus on how tests are used in making decisions about people. Four models of test use are defined: regression model, constant ratio…

As the present tools for assessing attitudes of white toward blacks are methodologically flawed, a Situational Attitude Scale (S.A.S.) was developed. Such a test both provides a racial context and makes psychological withdrawal difficult. Ten personal and social situations with some relevance to a racial response were created. For each situation…

Discusses the typical response to incidents of hatred and prejudice on campuses, which is often seen as reactive and brief. Advocates the creation of a critical incident team (CIT) on campuses, created for the purpose of dealing with incidents of hatred. (GCP)

In earlier research, Sedlacek and Brooks provided evidence for the validity of a measure of attitudes of whites towards blacks. In developing the Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) one of their major methodological points was that an appropriate measure of racial attitudes would provide a racial context to make difficult the psychological withdrawal…

A procedure using two measures, the Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) and the Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ) is described. If a group experiences prejudice and shows ability through noncognitive variables, it is considered nontraditional. (KW)

Assessed were the attitudes toward children of 246 college freshmen. A shortened version of the Situational Attitude Scale-Adults/Children (SAS-A/C) was used to obtain indications of subjects' attitudes toward five hypothetical situations representing levels of social distance. The situations were: (1) having a person as a houseguest for a week;…

Measured the attitudes of 259 White college students toward Blacks using a revised version of the Situational Attitude Scale (SAS-14). Results showed students tended to react more negatively to situations where the word "Black" was inserted, compared with situations where race was not indicated. (JAC)

Research conducted over a 25-year period concerning the needs and problems of African American students at a large, predominantly white university was used to defend a reverse-discrimination lawsuit against that university. The plaintiff claimed that the past effects of discrimination had been ameliorated and that the affirmative active programs…

Results showed that the error rate in the summary code for the revised edition of the self-directed search (SDS) was significantly lower than the error rate for the original SDS. High-point-code error rates between the two forms were similar. (Author)

Measured environmental sexism in 334 college freshmen who completed the Situational Attitude Scale-Women (SASW). Reactions to situations were significantly different when a woman was identified as the principal actor. There were also significant differences between the reactions of male and female students. (JAC)

Article explores the impact of September 11th terrorist attacks on stress, prejudicial attitudes, and hateful acts as they relate to college campuses. It presents a review of the literature concerning stressors and their impact on stereotyping and prejudice. This leads to a proposed proactive model with the purpose of building healthy campus…

The Cultural Study Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, has developed an approach for eliminating racism in white-oriented educational institutions by changing the attitudes and behaviors of those who control the system. The model is designed to be implemented as a conference consisting of six stages, each with its own particular…

The authors explore the nature of racism and sexism and discuss their similarities and differences. Some definitions of racism and sexism are proposed. (Author)