Question

Segregation itself is psychologically damaging to black children because they see and understand their inferiority to whites. What concept or theory about the impact of segregation is being expressed in this statement?

A) Social contract theory
B) Social identity theory
C) Social exchange theory
D) Social learning theory

Answer 1

The theory being discussed is Social identity theory, which explains the damaging psychological impact segregation has on Black children by negatively affecting their self-perception and self-esteem, as supported by the Clarks' research and the Brown v. Board of Education case.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept or theory about the impact of segregation being expressed in the statement is Social identity theory (B). This theory suggests that people's sense of who they are is based on their group membership, and segregation can negatively impact the self-perception and self-esteem of a group by enforcing hierarchies and notions of inferiority. The research by Kenneth and Mamie Clark, which demonstrated that segregation had damaging psychological effects on Black children, supports this theory. Their studies, including the doll test, indicated that African American children internalized feelings of inferiority as a result of segregation. These findings were instrumental in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the declaration that "separate but equal" was unconstitutional because segregated schools were inherently unequal.