THE IMPACT OF A COLLEGE COMMUNITY-SERVICE LABORATORY ON STUDENTS PERSONAL, SOCIAL, AND COGNITIVE OUTCOMES

This exploratory study attempts to answer the question: can a required service-learning experience of limited intensity and duration have an impact on the development of college students as participating citize ns of their community? Students who provided community service as part of a one credit ''community service laboratory'' showed a significant increase in their belief that people can make a difference, that they should be involved in community service and particularly in leadershi p and political influence, and in their commitment to perform voluntee r service the following semester. They also became less likely to blam e social service clients for their misfortunes and more likely to stre ss a need for equal opportunity. They indicated that their experience had led them to more positive perceptions of the people they worked wi th.