Racial Perceptions in the Army: An Approach
JONATHAN F. BORUS 1,
M. DUNCAN STANTON 2,
BYRON G. FIMAN 3, , and
ALBERT F. DOWD 4
1 Research Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012
2 Assistant Chief, Psychology Service, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, D.C.
3 Research Psychologist, Computer Support in Military Psychiatry Project, Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Walter Reed General Hospital, Washington, D.C.
4 Psychiatric Research Specialist, Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012
In order to assess racial attitudes and perceptions of Army life, the authors developed and administered the Racial Perceptions Inventory (RPI) to two widely different military populations (N = 471). The findings demonstrate a significant difference in the racial perceptions of black and white soldiers at different positions in the Army chain of command, with black soldiers perceiving substantially more discrimination in the military. The authors discuss possible causes of this differential perception and the potential uses of the RPI to stimulate change in major social institutions.
