541
There is an inherent belief in the inferiority of
the Aboriginal position (a belief constantly
bolstered by reference to Iou material and social
standards) which is sometimes transferred as belief
in the inferiority of Aborigines themselves. All
stereotypes mentioned pertaining to Aborigines
Were derogatory and Aborigines were both felt
and seen, to be in a continuously subordinate
position.
Lippmann (1973b:181) found little association between the amount
of contact with Aborigines and prejudice expressed by respondents
and found only a slight tendency for younger respondents to have more
favourable attitudes than those in older age groups.
Western (1973:244-268) found unfavourable responses to seven
items:
Aborigines expect more out life for nothing than whites
*
they give neighbourhoods a typical Aboriginal atmosphere
- they will always adapt the white man ,s materials to ∙
their old ways
Aborigines are pretty much alike
restrictions should be placed on Aborigines to protect
them from their own lack of responsibility
races cannot merge because white culture is more advanced
manual work is best for Aborigines
Taft (1975) found that in a Western Australian study, qualities
4
attribruted to Aborigines by three groups differing in contact were
remarkably similar across groups. Qualities mentioned across at
least two of the three groups were:
wasteful with money
lazy and unambitious
dirty and slovenly
drunken
unreliable
on the positive side they were seen as
generous
making good parents.