A 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design was utilized to investigate the effects of race of expressor (black and white), sex of expressor, race of perceiver and sex of perceiver on perception of emotion (POE). Perception of seven emotions (anger, happiness, surprise, fear, disgust, pain, and sadness) was analyzed in terms of three dependent variables: (1) overall accuracy scores, (2) correct perception of individual emotions scores, and (3) erroneous perception of individual emotions scores. Perceivers consisted of 160 undergraduates. Expressors were 20 actors. Each perceiver matched photographs of expressors with one of the seven emotions. Results indicated significant main effects: (1) for the race of expressor, (whites were more accurately perceived than blacks); (2) for sex of expressor, (females were superior to males); (3) for race of perceiver, (blacks were superior to whites); and (4) nonsignificance for sex of the perceiver. Race differences in POE suggests that there may be differing cultural sensitivities to emotional nuances: i.e., black man's subservience may make him more "sensitive to the communicative symbols of action." (Dickey and Knower, 1941). (Author/LS)