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Abstract

This research examines the efficacy of the theoretical statements regarding the sources, direction, and extent of racial attitude change offered by Myrdal (1944). Survey metric analysis is employed to decompose changes in tolerance of school desegregation between 1954–1980, using 17 surveys totaling 23,938 respondents. As Myrdal predicted, there as been a general increase in racial tolerance of about 33%, and a convergence of regional differences in this regard. Other findings, unforeseen by Myrdal, include: (1) stable differences between cohort and educational subgroups over time; (2) only small components of the increase stemming from cohort replacement; (3) miniscule effects on tolerance due to direct and indirect increases in educational attainment; and (4) the presence of increasing tolerance among all cohort and educational groups over time as the driving force behind the substantial change in racial attitudes.

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White Attitudes toward School Desegregation,1954–1980

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