Stereotype change and prejudice reduction: Short- and long-term evaluationof a cross-cultural awareness programme

The present study reports an evaluation of an applied prejudice reduction i ntervention. Previous research has indicated that such programmes achieve l imited success. The programme evaluated was an in-house anti-racist educati on programme aimed at reducing prejudice towards Aboriginal Australians. Th e target audience were employees of a large public service organization. Kn owledge of, prejudice towards, and stereotyping of Aboriginal Australians w ere assessed before commencing the programme to establish a baseline. Chang es in these variables were assessed immediately after completing the progra mme, and again 3 months after completing the programme. The programme had p ronounced effects immediately after completion: there was a significant inc rease in knowledge and significant decrease in prejudice and negative stere otyping. However, 3 months later, there was no significant difference to ba seline levels of prejudice and stereotyping. Knowledge remained significant ly higher than at baseline 3 months after completing the programme. High pr ejudice participants alone experienced a significant, long-term decrease in old-fashioned racism. It is concluded that further research must be done t o develop more successful strategies of prejudice reduction and stereotype change that are also applicable to 'real world' contexts. Copyright (C) 200 1 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.