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Differences in Hair Significance Among Black and White Women

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Differences in Hair Significance Among Black and White Women DIFFERENCES IN HAIR SIGNIFICANCE AMONG BLACK AND WHITE WOMEN: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON BLACK HAIR By Yasmine S. Keen A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Humboldt State University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in Psychology: Academic Research Committee Membership Dr. Christopher L. Aberson, Committee Chair Dr. Amber M. Gaffney, Committee Member Dr. Gregg J. Gold, Committee Member Dr. Christopher L. Aberson, Program Graduate Coordinator May 2018 Abstract DIFFERENCES IN HAIR SIGNIFICANCE AMONG BLACK AND WHITE WOMEN: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON BLACK HAIR Yasmine S. Keen In Western culture, standards of beauty are often based on European characteristics that Black women are inherently unable to meet. African American history and anecdotal accounts suggest that hair in particular can have a significant impact on the perception and body image of Black women, though whether that impact is positive or negative is not clear. The current study takes a quantitative approach to examining women’s relationship with their hair. Black women (n = 146) and White women (n = 1,116) participated in an anonymous online survey regarding time devoted to hair maintenance, money spent on hair upkeep, activities hindered by hair choices, overall happiness with hair, and perceived social attitudes. Black women generally took more time to achieve their most worn hair style and spent more money on hair products than did White women, but did not report a higher level of perceived lifestyle or monetary burden. Black women were also happier with their hair than White women despite reportedly feeling that others judged Black hair more negatively. Black women with non-straight/low maintenance hairstyles (e.g., an afro or braids) were both happier and experienced fewer lifestyle and monetary burdens than those with straight/high maintenance hairstyles (e.g., straightened ii with heat or weaved). Results suggest that Black women who fall further from the European beauty ideals surrounding hair are less affected by those ideals. iii Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... viii Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Review................................................................................................................ 3 Black Hair ....................................................................................................................... 3 Black Women and other Racially Defined Features ....................................................... 5 Facial Features. ........................................................................................................... 5 Skin Color ................................................................................................................... 6 Weight ......................................................................................................................... 7 Racial Differences and the European Beauty Ideal ........................................................ 8 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................... 9 Hypotheses and Research Questions ................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1: Racial Differences ................................................................................. 11 Hypothesis 1a ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1b ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1c ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1d ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1e ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 1f ............................................................................................................ 11 Hypothesis 2: Hair Differences ..................................................................................... 12 iv Hypothesis 2a ............................................................................................................ 12 Hypothesis 2b ............................................................................................................ 12 Research Question 1: Hair Differences ........................................................................ 12 Research question 1a ................................................................................................. 12 Research question 1b ................................................................................................ 12 Research question 1c ................................................................................................. 12 Research question 1d ................................................................................................ 12 Justification ................................................................................................................... 13 Method .............................................................................................................................. 15 Participants .................................................................................................................... 15 Instrumentation ............................................................................................................. 15 Demographics. .......................................................................................................... 15 Hair Experiences. ...................................................................................................... 15 Results ............................................................................................................................... 17 Hypothesis 1a-1f ........................................................................................................... 17 Hypothesis 1a – Time ............................................................................................... 17 Hypothesis 1b – Money part 1 .................................................................................. 17 Hypothesis 1c – Money part 2 .................................................................................. 18 Hypothesis 1d – Hindrance ....................................................................................... 18 Hypothesis 1e – Happiness ....................................................................................... 18 Hypothesis 1f – Perceived social acceptance ............................................................ 18 Hypothesis 2a-2b and Research Questions 1a-1d ......................................................... 19 Hypothesis 2a – Time ............................................................................................... 19 v Hypothesis 2b – Hindrance ....................................................................................... 20 Research Question 1a – Money part 1 ...................................................................... 20 Research Question 1b – Money part 2 ...................................................................... 20 Research Question 1c – Happiness ........................................................................... 20 Research Question 1d – Perceived Social Acceptance ............................................. 21 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 22 Racial Differences ......................................................................................................... 22 Hair Style Differences .................................................................................................. 24 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 26 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 27 References ......................................................................................................................... 28 Appendices ........................................................................................................................ 32 vi List of Tables Table 1. Monetary Burden Scale ...................................................................................... 37 Table 2. Hindrance Scale .................................................................................................. 38 Table 3. Happiness Scale .................................................................................................. 39 Table 4. Perceived Social Acceptance Scale .................................................................... 39 vii List of Appendices Appendix A ......................................................................................................................
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