Ronald E. McNair Program


Frederick Smith
 Name:  Frederick A. Smith
Institution:  Tougaloo College 
Discipline:  Psychology 
Mentor:  Dr. Karen Christoff, Ph.D.
Expected Graduation Date: May 2006 
Organizations & Honors:
• USAA National Collegiate Social Sciences Award
• Ronald E. McNair Scholar 
• Psychology Club 
• O.A.S.I.S (Orientation Assistants Serving
     Incoming Students)
• Men of Impact
• Vice-President’s List
• Who’s Who Among American College Students
• Tougaloo College Concert Choir 
• Emmanuel M.B. Church Sanctuary Choir Director


E-MAIL:  fredericksmith1079@yahoo.com 

COMMENTS 
The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program has been enjoyable in every way.  I was able to network with new and exciting people.  I was also able to make lifelong friendships.  Thank you for the opportunity.
 

 

ABSTRACT

The Color Complex: Relationships between Self-Rated Skin Tone and Self-Esteem in African-Americans
 

The purpose of this study was to test how self-rated skin tone related to self-esteem in African-Americans. It was hypothesized that light-skinned African-Americans would have higher self-esteem. By using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and additional questions pertaining to gender and desirability of various skin tones, it was determined that there was a trend level significant difference between scores for those rating themselves as having various skin tones (p=.073).  For the 34 students surveyed, the majority rated themselves as light brown in color. 0% (0) said they were very dark, 21% (7) said they were very light, 56% (19) said they were light brown, and 24% (8) said they were dark brown. Individuals that identified themselves as light brown had the highest mean self-esteem scale scores, followed by individuals that identified themselves as dark brown.  Individuals that identified themselves, as very light had the lowest self-esteem scale scores. In addition, subjects who were content with their skin tone had higher self-esteem scale scores than those who wanted to change their skin tone. However, this difference was not significant.