Race and socioeconomic status as confounding variables in the accurate diagnosis of alcoholism

Utilized two psychologists as actors in making four videotapes to depict background information and verbal modes of communication for alcoholics according to black-white race differences and high-low socioeconomic status. Forty graduate psychology students (10 per group) then were shown randomly one of the four recordings and asked to make a diagnosis. A significant difference was found for the effects of race, socioeconomic status, and race X socioeconomic status interaction on the correct diagnosis of alcoholism. Results were interpreted as suggesting that a clinician's personal biases and/or prejudices might extend into the clinical diagnosis and treatment of clients.