Investigating biases in trainee counsellors' attitudes to clients from different cultures

Two studies were conducted to explore the assumption that trainee counsellors who are members of the indigenous population will exhibit biased attitudes when they are confronted with the case-history of clients from other ethnic groups. Dependent measures included a structured methodology and free-response methods. This evidence indicates that respondents showed more favourable patterns of attribution for White clients than for clients from three other ethnic groups (Asian, Jewish and West Indian). There appeared to be discrimination in the biased attributions for particular out-group clients.