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ERIC Number: EJ768440
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 3
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0548-1457
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Research Brief: A Novel Characteristic of Role Model Choice by Black Male College Students
Bennett, B. J.; Davis, R.; Harris, A.; Brown, K.; Wood, P.; Jones, D. R.; Spencer, S.; Nelson, L.; Brown, J.; Waddell, T.; Jones, C. B.
Negro Educational Review, The, v55 n2-3 p143-145 Apr-Jul 2004
The purpose of the present research brief is to report a novel characteristic of role model choice that may be unreported in the literature for black males and to assess this finding in relation to perceived attractiveness of self and a member of the opposite sex. The study found that the proportion of males choosing themselves as their own role model was significantly less than the proportion of males having no role model, having a personal role model, or having a figure as a role model. Males choosing themselves as their own role model were significantly less likely to rate dark-skinned females as "very attractive" relative to the proportion of males choosing dark-skinned females as "very attractive" in the sample as a whole. The study also found that males choosing themselves as role models were proportionately more likely to rate themselves "very attractive" than subjects in the entire sample. This research supports the view that self-concept is relational in young black males choosing themselves as role models and that this choice reflects attempts to present the self positively--both by judging themselves as "very attractive" and by favoring females with "ideal" characteristics, in particular, "ideal" skin color. The authors suggest in this research brief that some black males may choose themselves as their own role model because they have fewer reference groups than lighter skinned males, for example, where social networks and support are weak. However, additional studies are required to document this finding for males choosing "self" as their own role model.
Negro Educational Review, Inc. NER Editorial Offices, School of Education, 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27411. Tel: 412-648-7320; Fax: 412-648-7081; Web site: http://www.oma.osu.edu/vice_provost/ner/index.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A