Research into the Effects of Segregation and Its Role in Brown vs. Board of Education

In: International journal of public opinion research, Band 16, Heft 1, S. 88-90

Abstract

The influence of Isidor Chein's social scientific research upon the US Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) is considered. After providing a biographic sketch of Chein's distinguished professional career & his concern with racial discrimination, the circumstances that prompted social science's intervention into the US Supreme Court decision are explored, eg, the participation of social scientists in related cases heard in lower courts. Chein's participation in writing a 1953 "social science statement" that was signed by several American social scientists & presented to the US Supreme Court & the impact of K. B. Clark's (1950) literature review on segregation scholarship upon the Supreme Court are then covered. Controversial aspects of social science's involvement in the landmark decision are also considered, eg, whether social scientists should become activists. 12 References. Adapted from the source document.