Page, Richard Martin, 1898-1975.

Richard Martin Page was born in Spencer, Iowa on March 3, 1898. He received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1921. He taught at the University of Texas, and University of Chicago, where in 1932 he received his Master's degree. Beginning in 1929 he was an assistant professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Page came to be interested in cross-cultural issues. After several years of residence in the Southwest, he became convinced that prejudice existed to a great degree between Anglos and Hispanics of the region. Early in 1933 Page constructed a survey to measure English-speaking peoples attitudes toward Spanish-speaking peoples. Because of the controversary surrounding this survey Page was forced to resign from the University. He entered private practice in California after receiving his Ph. D. from Northwestern. June 29, 1975 Page died in Santa Barbara, Calif.

From the description of Papers, 1931-1968 (bulk 1933) (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 42401840

Richard Martin Page was born in Spencer, Iowa on March 3, 1898. He received his B.A from the University of Michigan in 1921. He taught from 1923-1924 as an instructor at the University of Texas, and from 1928-1929 he was a lecturer at the University of Chicago, where in 1932 he received his Masters degree. Beginning in 1929 he was an assistant professor of Psychology at the University of New Mexico. Teaching industrial and clinical psychology, he also directed a psychological clinic for "problem children". Opened in 1931, it operated only briefly.

Page came to be interested in cross-cultural issues. After several years of residence in the Southwest, Page became convinced that prejudice existed to a great degree between Anglos and Hispanics of the region. Early in 1933 Page constructed a survey he modeled after L.L. Thurstone's, a pioneer in measuring racial prejudice, to measure English-speaking peoples attitudes of Spanish-speaking peoples. In his discussions with President Zimmerman about the survey, he was told to get opinions of Hispanics in the community before using it. Page contacted George I. Sanchez of the New Mexico Department of Education, Division of Information and Statistics to get his "approval of a plan to study attitudes of more mature individuals in a quiet way." Sanchez suggested sending the survey to the high school students of the state. Shortly before Page's survey was to be administered, a copy of it was made public and a statewide controversy arose. The survey was published in the local newspapers implying the negative statements were Page's own opinions. There was such an outcry that the Board of Regents formed a committee to investigate the incident. The hearings before the Committee Appointed by the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico to Investigate into and Report on the Responsibility of those Connected with the Attempted Social Attitude Survey, were conducted May 3-5, 1933.

The investigative committee's report made six recommendations; four dealing with the problem of the survey, the other two concerned the fraternities and sororities on UNM campus and the makeup of the Board of Regents. Page and Sanchez were cleared of malicious intent but it was recommended Page leave the University. Page turned in his resignation soon after the hearings. President Zimmerman and the head of the Psychology Department were criticized for not keeping better control of their employees. The committee asked for "strict regulation and abolishment, if necessary, of fraternities and sororities at the University to correct "discriminatory" conditions alleged to exist on the campus between English and Spanish-speaking students. Earlier in 1933 during the state legislative session a bill to do away with fraternities and sororities on campus had been proposed, but did not pass. After this report, the Regents appointed a committee to study the alleged prejudices against Spanish-speaking students by the UNM fraternities and sororities. The sixth proposal was for "proper and competent representation be accorded Spanish-speaking people by appointment to the Board of Regents".

Richard Page worked from 1933-1936 as Director of Personnel at the Denver Water Department. He returned to Chicago in 1937 working in various positions and receiving his Ph.D. from Northwestern in 1941. In 1956 he moved to Santa Barbara, California to enter private practice. He died June 29, 1975 in Santa Barbara..

From the guide to the Richard Martin Page Papers, 1931-1968 (bulk 1933), (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)