The Clarks' Doll Test

The Clark Doll Test was a psychological study conducted in the 1940s by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark. It involved African American children choosing between Black and White dolls to assess racial attitudes and self-perception. The children often favored the White dolls, associating them with positive traits, and sometimes preferred the Black dolls with negative qualities. The study highlighted how racism and societal biases affected Black children's self-esteem and identity. Its findings played a significant role in challenging segregation laws and contributed to the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, promoting desegregation in schools.