In three Ohio cities, a perception scale of 55 statements was administered to: (1) 350 black students in schools serving disadvantaged youth, (2) 600 white students in schools serving non-disadvantaged youth, (3) 27 white students in a school serving disadvantaged youth, and (4) 154 department store workers. Among extensive findings were the following: (1) The perceptions of the white students in the "disadvantaged school" most closely approximated the perceptions of the store employees; the black students were the farthest removed, (2) Like the employee group, the white students in the "disadvantaged school" believed that minority and white applicants have equal chances of being hired as salesmen, (3) White students in "non-disadvantaged schools" agreed with employees that personality, educational attainment, health, and speaking ability are important, and (4) The black students attached importance to education but were less aware of the traditional employment requisites and general work rules; they were more willing to work for a minimum wage and believed factory work was more stable. All agreed there are few non-white management personnel. This Ph.D. dissertation was submitted to The Ohio State University. (JK)