White Preschoolers Think they Can Grow Up to Be Black

[pErvinalia]

I don't know about the specifics of the US, but the reasoning is sound. A minority is going to see a lot more of the majority than the majority is going to see of a minority.

[Forty Two]

I don't know about the specifics of the US, but the reasoning is sound. A minority is going to see a lot more of the majority than the majority is going to see of a minority.

How does that in any way indicate that the minority 3 and 4 year olds will be more likely to see themselves as not being able to grow up to be white, whereas the majority 3 and 4 year olds do see themselves as being able to do so?

I see a lot more white people, so I conclude I can never be white. I see only a few black people, so I conclude that I can grow up to be black. Weird.

[pErvinalia]

As the article explained, they will have a greater understanding of racial diversity, as they will see more of it.

[Forty Two]

As the article explained, they will have a greater understanding of racial diversity, as they will see more of it.

No, the article "alleged" that it "might" be a reason for it. It did not "explain" that it was the reason for it.

And, the logic doesn't follow -- I see more white people, therefore I think I can't grow up to be white. I see fewer black people, so I conclude I can grow up to be black? It's as logical as the opposite -- I see more white people, therefore I think I can grow up to be white. Why wouldn't exposure to more races result in preschoolers just assuming they can be any race? After all, they see all the races in one, and the races are not alien or other to them. Whereas, less contact with other races would cause a person to view the other race as strange and other, not like "us" (the family and friends) - the logical conclusion being that you can't become the "other" or "alien" group?

[pErvinalia]

Minorities see more variety. Majorities see less. Therefore, minorities are more likely to understand difference. That's the reasoning.

What do you attribute the difference between black and white kids to be?

[laklak]

Sure they can. This is AMERICA, goddamnit, and any kid can grow up to be anything they want.

[Forty Two]

Minorities see more variety. Majorities see less. Therefore, minorities are more likely to understand difference. That's the reasoning.

What do you attribute the difference between black and white kids to be?

I don't know.

I suspect that there really is not a difference, and that this is an example of social science crap. But, that's just a suspicion. I bet this study would not replicate similar results if repeated. I would expect preschoolers to be easily malleable and to agree with what someone asks them to agree to, because anyone who has dealt with a 3 or 4 year old knows you can get them to believe black is white and white is black at the same time.

I strongly suspect the study is bollocks.

[Forty Two]

Sure they can. This is AMERICA, goddamnit, and any kid can grow up to be anything they want.

[pErvinalia]

Minorities see more variety. Majorities see less. Therefore, minorities are more likely to understand difference. That's the reasoning.

What do you attribute the difference between black and white kids to be?

I don't know.

I suspect that there really is not a difference, and that this is an example of social science crap. But, that's just a suspicion. I bet this study would not replicate similar results if repeated. I would expect preschoolers to be easily malleable and to agree with what someone asks them to agree to, because anyone who has dealt with a 3 or 4 year old knows you can get them to believe black is white and white is black at the same time.

I strongly suspect the study is bollocks.

It quite possibly is. I wouldn't call it "social science crap". But it's a very small sample size, so there's not too much you can take from it.

[Forty Two]

[pErvinalia]

Economics is a social science. Hokum seems appropriate..

[Forty Two]

Indeed, that's why there is a Nobel Prize for Economic SCIENCES, and not an official Nobel Prize in Economics. We have Nobel Prize for Physics, not Physics Sciences.

Adding the word "sciences" to a field is an indicator of woo -- antennae should go up -- turn one's bullshit detector up a notch. Social Science. Political Science. These things have science in the name, but aren't really sciences.

[laklak]

Creation Science, 'nuff said.

[pErvinalia]

Indeed, that's why there is a Nobel Prize for Economic SCIENCES, and not an official Nobel Prize in Economics. We have Nobel Prize for Physics, not Physics Sciences.

Adding the word "sciences" to a field is an indicator of woo -- antennae should go up -- turn one's bullshit detector up a notch. Social Science. Political Science. These things have science in the name, but aren't really sciences.

I don't totally disagree with that. What's important is to understand the limitations of any "scientific" field. The further we abstract away from physics, the less rigorous a science gets.

[Hermit]

I strongly suspect the study is bollocks.

It definitely is. The sample size disqualifies it from showing anything conclusive.

As for black children waking up to the fact that they will never be able to grow up to become whites before white children do, I surmise that they are made aware of what is not possible for them earlier in their upbringing: "Know your station, nigger." Whereas white kiddies tend to be inculcated with a generally much more optimistic attitude: "Anything is possible if you put your mind to it with enough conviction and work." None of these words need to be actually said. An underlying tenor to the effect is sufficient.