EFFECTS OF BIRACIAL LEARNING TEAMS ON CROSS-RACIAL FRIENDSHIPS

Investigated biracial learning teams and cross-racial friendships in desegregated junior high schools. Ss were 294 7th- and 8th-grade students in 12 English classes (170 Whites, 124 Blacks). Each of 5 teachers taught 1-2 experimental classes and 1-2 control classes for 10 wks. Experimental Ss studied worksheets in 4-5 member biracial teams and received regulation based on the sum of members' quiz scores. Controls studied alone and received individual quiz scores only. Results indicate that experimental Ss increased more than controls in the number of cross-racial friendship choices made on a sociometric instrument, and in the percentage of cross-racial choices over all choices. A follow-up of a subsample of 2 classes 9 mo after the project showed the effects of the experimental treatments maintained over time. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.