In acknowledgement of Black History Month, Caravel Autism Health would like to recognize three leaders in the mental health and psychology fields.
Kenneth Clark (1914–2005)
The first black president of the American Psychological Association, Kenneth Clark is famous for his “Doll Study.” That project looked at more than 200 black children and their interactions when given the choice between white or brown dolls. The study found that children as young as three years old showed a preference for white dolls. The “Doll Study” is an important part of history, as it played a pivotal role in the Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw segregation.
Ruth Howard (1900–1997)
As the first black woman to receive a doctorate degree in psychology, Ruth Howard earned a special place in history. Before studying psychology, Ruth worked as a social worker and became curious about the impact that growing up in dysfunctional families had on children. This interest led her to the University of Minnesota where she earned her PhD in psychology and met her husband, fellow psychologist Albert S. Beckham. Together they opened the Center for Psychological Services, a private practice in Chicago, Illinois.
Joseph White (1932–2017)
A great psychologist and activist, Joseph White revolutionized the field of psychology and its inclusion of African Americans. Early in his career, Joseph noticed that blacks were hardly acknowledged in the field and subsequently worked hard to push psychologists to recognize the differences between blacks and whites during psychological studies. Throughout his career, he made many remarkable achievements, including becoming one of the founders of the Association of Black Psychologists.
Sources
https://www.socialsciencespace.com/2017/12/godfather-black-psychology-joseph-white-1932-2017/
https://guildservices.org/8-black-psychologists-who-made-history/
https://www.apa.org/pi/oema/resources/ethnicity-health/psychologists/ruth-howard
