Level of cultural mistrust as a function of educational and occupational expectations among black students.

The relationship between trust of whites and academic and occupational expectations of black students was explored. Black high school students were administered the Two-Factor Index of Social Position and the Cultural Mistrust Inventory. All students were also asked to indicate which occupation they expected to enter and the educational level they expected to attain. No differences were found between educational expectations and level of mistrust. However, students with lower occupational expectations had higher levels of mistrust. The implications of these findings are discussed.