Racial Group Concept and Self-Esteem in Black Children

Abstract

The relationship of racial group concepts (racial preference and racial attitudes) to general and specific self-esteem in Black children was examined. The study also attempted to validate the belief of Nobles (1973) that racial group attitudes influence the Black American's concept of "self." The subjects were 210 Black children in grades three to six. A Black ex perimenter administered a variation of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory to measure general and specific self-esteem, and a measure designed after the PRAM II test to measure racial preference and racial attitude. Results indicated no linear relationships between racial group concepts and general or specific self-esteem, but more complex relationships were found. Significant grade-level differences were found, along with physical/appearance esteem, as the single best predictor of general self-esteem.