Perception of Prejudice in Mexican-American Preschool Children

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Abstract
Structured doll-play interviews were conducted with 40 Mexican-American children aged 4 and 5 yr. old, to explore where and when skin color discrimination and the evaluation of color differences occur. The study attempted to determine whether discrimination and evaluation occur simultaneously and whether they were functions of the child's age and sex, or exposure to group participation outside the home. The children tended to group the dolls by sex and size before grouping them by skin color. Evaluation on the basis of skin color occurred at the same time the discrimination was made, “good” dolls being white and “bad” dolls dark. After exposure to school the doll with which the child identified was white There was a tendency for boys to perceive the white adult male doll as larger than the dark one of the same size. Major dimensions of good and bad parents and good and bad children were inferred from the children's descriptions of their behavior. Results have been related to comparable studies with regard to Negro and Oriental children and the similarities and differences discussed. Suggestions are made for further research.

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