RACISM IN CONTEMPORARY SPORTS: A PERCEPTUAL AND CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

by Dickhaus, Joshua Brandon

This study examined subjects’ perceptions of racist quotations from sports figures based on three variables (objectionable-ness, racist-ness, offensiveness). This study wanted to examine perceptual and contextual differences in interpretations of each quotation. The sample consisted of 219 undergraduate students in two separate conditions using the same quotations. Males and females significantly differed in their perceptions of racist-ness and offensiveness. Significant difference was also found between conditions based on same-race racism. Limitations of the study and implications for future research are also discussed.