What was the focus of the Doll Preference Experiment by Clark and Clark in 1947?

The Doll Preference Experiment conducted by Kenneth and Mamie Clark in 1947 primarily focused on assessing preferences for color associated with race, particularly how these preferences reflected children's attitudes toward race during a time of significant racial segregation in the United States. In the study, African American children were presented with two dolls that were identical in all respects except for their skin color; one was white and the other was black. The children were asked to select which doll they preferred and which doll they thought was nicer, among other questions.

The findings revealed that a significant number of the African American children preferred the white doll over the black doll, indicating internalized racial bias and highlighting the psychological impact of segregation and discrimination. This experiment was pivotal in demonstrating the effects of racism on children's development and was influential in the Brown v. Board of Education case, which led to the desegregation of public schools. Thus, the focus of the experiment was on understanding the children’s preferences tied to race, providing important insights into the societal impact of racial inequality.