Fine Arts

Perceptions of Self-Images among Black Children Illustrated through Their Artwork
Danielle M. Leveston
Dr. G. Victoria Landrum, Faculty Mentor

This research project explored the incidence of negative self-images within black children of lower-class communities. Negative self-perceptions may be evidenced by low test scores and the lack of confidence that some black children reveal while interacting with children of another race. Although not all children may come from lower-class households, the fact that negative attributes may be ascribed to their group or communities as a whole may contribute to observed lower levels of self-esteem. The relationship between scores on the Coopersmith Self-Inventory (CSEI) and children’s self-portraits were analyzed; then contrasted for two groups comprised of low and middle class socioeconomic status participants. In terms of self-esteem, it was found that children from lower-class communities did not differ significantly than those of middle-class communities on both measures of the CSEI and analysis of their self-portrait drawings. Overall, the characteristics of children’s drawings were a more significant predictor of self-esteem.

Keywords: Art , Children, Psychology, Education, Self-Esteem, Black, African-American, Self-perception

Topic(s):Art

Presentation Type: Oral Paper

Session: 3-2
Location: OP 2210
Time: 8:30 am

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