Richard LaPiere
Encyclopedia
Richard Tracy LaPiere was a professor Emeritus of sociology
at Stanford University
from 1929 to 1965.
, LaPiere obtained his B.A.
in Economics in 1926, followed by his M.A
in Sociology in 1927 and his Ph.D
in Sociology in 1930, all of which were obtained at Stanford University.
. LaPiere spent two years traveling the United States
by car with a couple of Chinese ethnicity
. During that time they visited 251 hotels and restaurants and were turned away only once. At the conclusion of their travels LaPiere mailed a survey to all of the businesses they visited with the question, "Will you accept members of the Chinese race in your establishment?" The available responses were "Yes", "No", and "Depends upon the circumstances". Of the 128 that responded 92% answered No. The study was seminal in establishing the gap between attitudes and behaviors.
and the Sociological Research Association
, and a past president of the Pacific Sociological Association. In 1941 he was awarded a California Book Award silver medal for his fiction work When the Living Strive.
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
at Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
from 1929 to 1965.
Early years and education
Born in Beloit, WisconsinBeloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
, LaPiere obtained his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Economics in 1926, followed by his M.A
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in Sociology in 1927 and his Ph.D
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Sociology in 1930, all of which were obtained at Stanford University.
Academic career
LaPiere is best known for his article 1934 article "Attitudes Versus Actions" that appeared in the journal Social ForcesSocial Forces
Social Forces is a quarterly peer-reviewed academic journal of social science published by the University of North Carolina Press...
. LaPiere spent two years traveling the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by car with a couple of Chinese ethnicity
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
. During that time they visited 251 hotels and restaurants and were turned away only once. At the conclusion of their travels LaPiere mailed a survey to all of the businesses they visited with the question, "Will you accept members of the Chinese race in your establishment?" The available responses were "Yes", "No", and "Depends upon the circumstances". Of the 128 that responded 92% answered No. The study was seminal in establishing the gap between attitudes and behaviors.
Memberships and accolades
Lapiere was an elected member of Alpha Kappa DeltaAlpha Kappa Delta
Alpha Kappa Delta is an international sociology honor society.Founded in 1920 by Emory S. Bogardus, of the University of Southern California sociology department, the name is derived from the Greek anthrôpos meaning mankind, katamanthanô, meaning to examine closely or acquire knowledge, and...
and the Sociological Research Association
Sociological Research Association
The Sociological Research Association is an honor society of sociological scholars founded in 1936.With more than 400 members, the association's importance comes from the members being leading sociologists who use the SRA's meetings to network and exchange views on the direction of the field...
, and a past president of the Pacific Sociological Association. In 1941 he was awarded a California Book Award silver medal for his fiction work When the Living Strive.
Personal life
LaPiere married in 1934 and died of cancer in 1986. The Department of Sociology at Stanford University's annual research award for best graduate student paper is named in LaPiere's honor.Selected bibliography
- The Freudian ethic (1959) ISBN 0837175437
- Collective Behavior (1938) ISBN 1430481234