All 3 studies are segments of a larger study carried out in a small Northeastern industrial city of 12,000 population, of which 25% is black. In the first study, which explored the interpersonal and interracial attitudes of black and white youth and teachers, the concept of social distance was employed. Four components were selected for their relevance as important personal characteristics of influence sources: race, ability to understand others, competency, and trustworthiness. Each component was found to contribute significantly to social distance. The other 2 studies focus specifically on high school guidance services. Black and white students' and parents' attitudes and perceptions of these services are presented. In general, while vocational guidance was not found to be blatantly racist in this small city, to many blacks, and some whites, it was not viewed as meeting their needs. For the blacks, it was perceived as racist. The authors feel that the concept "guidance as a service to all" was not operational in this community. (TL)