Doll Studies Revisited: A Question of Validity

Abstract

Renewed interest in African American children's racial preferences provokes further study on the factors underlying such choices. This study examines the long-standing assumption that racially oriented stereotypes influence preference selections. It was hypothesized that White preference would be shown for characteristics where White superiority is stereotypically presumed and that Black preference would be shown for questions where Black superiority is stereotypically presumed. Results did not confirm the hypotheses, thus raising questions about the supposed influence of racial stereotypes on children's racialpreferences. Results revealed that where any preference was indicated, Black preference was more likely than White preference. There was also increasing Black preference with age. Implications for research on racial preference are discussed.