ERIC Number: EJ816998
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Sep
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Measuring Attitudes towards Sorority and Fraternity Members: Indication of Implicit, Ingroup Favoritism
Wells, Brett; Corts, Daniel P.
College Student Journal, v42 n3 p842-846 Sep 2008
The purpose of this study was to explore implicit attitudes towards members of social fraternities and sororities. Participants completed both an explicit (rating scale) and an implicit (Implicit Associations Test, or IAT) measure of attitudes toward members of social fraternities/sororities. Results show a positive correlation between the explicit and implicit measures. Of most importance, there was a significant 2 (Greek membership) X 2 (IAT categorization task) interaction, according to a mixed-model ANOVA. Members of Greek organizations showed preferential responses towards Greek groups over academic or purely service organizations. Conversely, independent students demonstrated preferential responding to academic and service groups. These patterns of results suggest that many independent students harbor ill feelings towards sorority and fraternity members, and it is possible that the attitudes are stronger than reported on typical. This explanation would be consistent with IAT measures of racial and ethnic stereotyping. Implications are discussed along with potential ideas to replicate and extend the current findings.
Descriptors: Tests, Rating Scales, Sororities, Correlation, Fraternities, Student Attitudes, College Students, Measures (Individuals)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A