INFLUENCING ETHNOCENTRISM IN SMALL DISCUSSION GROUPS THROUGH A FILM COMMUNICATION.

The article presents a study that determined the learning and attitude change among the members of small, attitudinally homogeneous groups that experienced varying degrees of participation with respect to discussion of a motion picture film dealing with the problem of group prejudice and conflict. The effects of ethnocentric attitudes and discussion participation upon the degree and stability of learning and attitude change in response to a persuasive communication were investigated. Twelve experimental groups viewed the sound film "The High Wall." Each group was composed of nine high school students. Six of the groups did not hold discussions of the film, while the other six did. The formation of the groups was based from the scores on the California Ethnocentrism Scale.