Assessing the Efficacy of Group Study Guides in Changing Ethnocentric Attitudes: A Study of the Challenge of Ethnicity

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to access the extent to which the study guide The Challenge of Ethnicity contributed to relatively enduring changes with regard to reducing dysfunctional ethnocentric tendencies among Christian university students in Kenya. The study regarded Bible study guides as powerful persua- sion tools and that the study guide under investigation had been designed as such. The study was carried out among Christian university students and fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS) staff. Survey self-administered questionnaires and interviews were used in data collection. Out of 400 questionnaires that were distributed in 10 university campuses Christian unions, 388 or 97% were returned. Two source persons at FOCUS and two Christian student leaders were interviewed on the writing and use of the Bible study guide. Data was analyzed and straight tabulations and cross tabulations computed using the SPSS for windows version 8.4. The study established that: Christian university students surveyed were not predominantly of dysfunctional ethnocentrism orientation as levels on indicators of ethnocentrism remained consistently below 50%. Many students, (65%) were able to relate to how the question of ethnicity affects them as Christian university students. About 0.3% of the students surveyed said that they had been victims of discrimination because of their ethnic background. The 'not ethnocentric' level dropped with the time the study guide was done. From 70.01% for those who did the study in early 1999 to 65.08%, 52.38%,57.97%, 47.74% for the periods of the study; late 1999, early 2000, late 2000 and early 2001 respectively. Implying an effect of time on the ethnocentrism level. The Bible study guide The Challenge of Ethnicity had helped create debate on the question of ethnicity among Christian university students.