TITLE Simulation Game Effects on Attitudes Regarding Racism

The research reported here examines the effectiveness of a social simulation game ftStarpowern and discussion model in developing more positive attitudes towards blacks and women. Although "Starpower " has been used extensively throughout the country with numerous groups, there is almost no research evaluating its effectiveness in terms of attitude and/or behavior change related to racism and/or sexism. Freshman and transfer students (0=182) attending Maryland's 1974 New Student Orientation Program were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions or a control group. During a two-hour period, the experimental groups played the simulation game followed by a post-game discussion on racism and/or sexism. The control group participated in a social simulation game and discussion unrelated to racism and/or sexism. Experimental subjects, particularly those who discussed both racism and sexism, indicated significantly more positive attitudes toward blacks and more willingness to support black student growth activities. Males who discussed either sexism only or both racism and sexism demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes toward women and men in non-traditional sex roles. (Author/JR