Rogers and Frantz Study (socio)

Question 1

Aim

Answer 1

To investigate whether there is a correlation between the time Europeans spent living in South Rhodesia
(Zimbabwe) and stereotypes against Africans.

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

• Approx 500 white Europeans participated in a cross-sectional study
• Group varied in age, sex, country of birth and length of residence (stratified)
• Survey contained 66 examples of laws or customs that treated White Europeans and Africans differently (ex.
  Laws regarding cross-racial relationships, use of public facilities)
• Participants had to respond on a Likert scale (0, 2, 4, 6)
  
  • 0 = very important to maintain current system
  • 6 = very important to discontinue this law

Question 3

Findings

Answer 3

• Average response was 2.45
• Indicates that the majority of the participants were in favor of the status quo
• Europeans who support status quo least strongly were those living in southern Rhodesia for less than five
  years
• Correlation between length of residence and “conservation” was calculated and level of significance was
  p < 0.001
• Supports theory that people may hold stereotypes as a result of conforming to societal beliefs and accepting
  new social roles

Question 4

Strengths

Answer 4

• Large, representative sample

Question 5

Limitations

Answer 5

• Temporal validity (could similar findings be found
  today?)
• Cross-sectional not longitudinal (would have been
  more beneficial to see how beliefs change over
  time)

Question 6

Ethical Cosiderations

Answer 6

• Protection from harm (does reflection on
  stereotypes reinforce them?)

Question 7

Research method

Answer 7

• Correlation research