ROLEPLAYING AS AN EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING DEVICE IN A POVERTY-ORIENTED, MULTIRACIAL GROUP

Abstract

The following paper is a discussion as to the effects and "value" of roleplaying when used in a diverse racial and ethnic group of economically and socially deprived para-professional trainees. Role play was used primarily as a technique in preparing underprivileged youths for placement as social service agents (i.e., gang workers, counselor aides, probation officers, social workers), in addition to enhancing a natural means of human interaction.