The purpose of this study is to examine Arab stereotypes as portrayed in high school world history textbooks and in the attitudes of students and teachers in Detroit Public Schools. A further purpose is to determine whether interaction with Arabs significantly decreases negative stereotyping.
The thematic analysis technique is employed to determine the relative emphasis given to major topics about Arabs in textbooks. Each theme is analyzed in terms of accuracy, completeness, and thoroughness.
The written self reporting technique (questionnaire) is used to examine Arab stereotypes as portrayed in the attitudes of students and teachers. The percentage of respondents who checked each variable is calculated and the chi-square is computed to determine whether the frequencies obtained from different groups deviate significantly from each other. The questionnaire was administered to mainstream students and teachers in two geographic areas: Area A--being thinly populated by Arabs and Area B--being heavily populated by Arabs. The questionnaire was also administered to students in the bilingual program who share classes with many Arab students.
Findings show that Arabs are portrayed negatively in textbooks and by students and teachers. Other findings include attitudes of those students and teachers who come from the highly Arab populated area do not vary significantly from those who come into little contact with Arabs. Students in bilingual classes who have a closer relationship with Arabs tend to have somewhat more positive attitudes towards Arabs than other groups.
It is concluded that while there is a little improvement in the portrayal of Arabs in some of the themes, evidence shows that Arabs still are negatively presented for the most part in world history textbooks. It is also concluded that negative stereotyping cannot be improved by simple physical proximity and superficial relationships. It is recommended that while drastic change in attitudes reflected in the mass media is not likely to occur overnight, emphasis should be placed on interpersonal relationships between Arabs and Americans and the development of community and school programs which may promote communication at the interpersonal level.