A Comparison of The Effects of Multicultural and Anti-Racist Teaching on Student Attitude Change

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Social Studies programs on students' attitudes toward and beliefs about First Nations people in Canada. There were two programs: a multicultural program and an anti-racist program. The multicultural group studied examples of successful First Nations people and the efforts to take responsibilities for their own affairs. The anti-racist group studied the current situation among the majority of First Nations Canadians and then examined historical relationship between the government and First Nations people. Students' attitudes toward First Nations people were assessed by three measures of empathy/sympathy, attitude, and attribution of blame. One hundred sixty-nine grade 11 students from two secondary schools in the Lower Mainland participated in this study. The findings indicated that students in the multicultural group significantly increased their scores on the measure of attitude toward First Nations people. Students in the anti-racist group significantly improved their scores on the measures of empathy/sympathy and attribution of blame. This study supported the efficacy of both multicultural and antiracist programs on the student attitude change in different directions.