The Clarks Doll Experiment

1954

The Clarks psychological research tested children’s perceptions of race.

The Legal Defense Fund used multiple strategies to demonstrate segregation’s harm. Kenneth and Mamie Clark’s research showed how segregation created psychological damage. In their study, Black children were asked to describe Black and white dolls with traits like “good” or “bad.” Black children identified with Black dolls but said that Black dolls were “bad.”