Date of Award
8-2003
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Jane M. Berry
Second Advisor
Dr. Scott T. Allison
Third Advisor
Dr. Catherine L. Bagwell
Abstract
Divergent African American skin tones have led to negative stereotypes and outcomes regarding darker-skinned African Americans in many domains, including educational and occupational (Hill, 2002). This study assessed the effects of skin tone and stereotype threat (Steele and Aronson, 1995; Steele, 1997) on cognition in younger and older African Americans. A 2(Skin Tone: light, dark) X 2(Age: young, old) X 2(Stereotype Threat: Threat, Non-Threat) between subjects design was used. Seventy-four African American adults ranging in age from 18 to 86 years completed a battery of cognitive measures. Darker-skinned adults performed more poorly on three tests of intelligence, a paired-associates memory task, and intellectual self-efficacy. These main effects were qualified by two-way interactions involving skin tone and age, and skin tone and stereotype threat. The implications of African American skin tone effects on cognitive functioning are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Guy, Breonte Stephan, ""Paper sack brown" : effects of age, skin tone, and stereotype threat on cognitive performance and self-efficacy among African Americans" (2003). Master's Theses. 655.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/655