Title
Sociocultural, sociohistorical, and sociopolitical effects on African American women's sense of self
Date of Degree
2010
Document Type
PhD diss.
Degree Name
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Department
Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
First Advisor
William Ming Liu
Abstract
The current study was an attempt to increase understanding within the field about the self-conceptualization processes of African American women given the perceptions/ stereotypes that exist about them. Grounded theory methodology was utilized to ascertain participants' understanding of themselves as well as whether historical and/or contemporary perceptions/stereotypes impacted how they saw themselves. The African American women in this study tended to define themselves in positive terms. Often their self-definitions included perceptions/stereotypes that are typically thought to be socially desirable (e.g., strong and independent). The participants' self-definitions tended to exclude perceptions/ stereotypes that carry more negative connotations (e.g., loud and unintelligent). Future research should investigate the implications of perceptions/stereotypes for self-concepts of African American women who are also members of other traditionally oppressed groups.
Pages
1, v, 113
Bibliography
100-105
Copyright
Copyright 2010 Leslie Carol Leathers