Improving intergroup relations: The effects of empathy on racial attitudes

Prior research indicates that information-based intergroup relations progra ms are only moderately successful (McGregor, 1993; Stephan & Stephan, 1984) . In order to explore a means of increasing the effectiveness of techniques used to change attitudes toward outgroups, the current study examined the effects of giving Angle American students information about everyday incide nts of discrimination against African Americans either with or without empa thy-inducing instructions. The results indicate that reading about discrimi nation against African Americans or inducing empathy reduces in-group-out-g roup bias in attitudes toward African Americans vs. Angle Americans. The im plications of these findings for models of the effects of empathy on interg roup relations are discussed.