17) Mamie and Kenneth Clark: The Doll Test

  • Before we wrap up the Developmental Psychology Studies category, one noteworthy mention is a throwback to the 1940s, Mamie and Kenneth Clark’s Doll Test. It tested racial bias in young children, and threw light on some shocking results.



The following reenactment depicts internalized racism in children and insights on their self-perception at a very young age:

This experiment contributed to a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in which it determined that racial segregation in public education was unconstitutional. Thus, the experiment becomes an excellent example of the deep and immense social value held in developmental studies. Studying children opens up not only avenues and ways to understand this age group but also gives us insights into human nature, society and its effects.

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