Accent, skin color and information processing errors in a clinical analogue

This study explored ethnic bias in psychotherapy with a videotaped analogue design in which accent and skin color were manipulated while holding all other factors constant. One hundred and eighty-nine White students viewed one of four videotapes and provided ratings of the client. ANOVA yielded significant main effects for accent, no main effects for skin color, nor interactions. Accent influenced ratings of skin color, ethnic identity, social class, education and linguistic background. The client was rated significantly more disturbed and in more urgent need of mental health treatment when presented in an Hispanic than a White ethnic guise.