Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

4-25-2025

Keywords

doll studies, racial differences, self-concept, self- identity, social identity

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology

Abstract

The experiments colloquially known as the “doll studies” were a series of studies performed by Mamie P. Clark and her husband Kenneth B. Clark in the 1940’s. The purpose of the experiments was to explore how African-American children developed a sense of self. Additionally, the Clarks were interested in Black children’s racial preferences and self-esteem. In these studies, the Clarks used four diaper-clad dolls that were identical in every respect, with one exception: Two of the dolls were Black and the other two were White. These dolls were displayed before Black children between the ages of 3 and 7 while an adult asked them a series of questions. In most of the studies, children were asked eight questions: 1) “Give me the doll that you would like to play with or like best”, 2) “Give me the doll that is the nice doll”, 3) “Give me the doll that looks bad”, 4) “Give me the doll that is a nice color”, 5) “Give me the doll that looks like a White child”, 6) “Give me the doll that looks like a colored child”, 7) Give me the doll that looks like a Negro child”, and 8) Give me the doll that looks like you.” The first four questions were designed to reveal the children’s racial preferences, while questions five through seven were used to test the children’s knowledge of racial differences. The last question addressed how children self-identify.

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