Attitudes Towards Desegregation of Southern White and Negro Children

Abstract

The legal decision of May 17, 1954, that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional has given the social psychologist a unique opportunity to participate in the collection of relevant facts for the understanding of an important social issue. The common sense psychologies of Negro and white leaders frequently lead to statements concerning how the relevant groups actually feel about the situation and to preferred techniques for inducing change. However, usually these theories have little basis in fact and, more often than not, reflect the particular bias and position of the speaker.