Abstract

The purpose of this study was to implement a self-enhancement program based on the Quality/Circle Time approach, and explore the relationship between the self-concept and racial attitudes of Black children living in a high risk neighbourhood. Four research questions were answered: (1) How can a self-enhancement program based on Quality/Circle Time increase children's self-concept? (2) How can a self-enhancement program address the negative influences of racial stereotypes in our society and influence participants' racial attitudes? (3) How are Black children's racial attitudes influenced by social representations of racial groups in our society? and (4) Is there a relationship between self-concept and racial attitudes in children of Haitian origin living in a high-risk neighbourhood? Thirteen participants were administered two instruments, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale second edition (Piers & Herzberg, 2002) and the Multi-Response Racial Attitudes Measure (MRA; Doyle & Aboud, 1995). The participants were between the ages of 8 and 11. Both tests were administered twice, once before and once after the implementation of the self-enhancement program. No significant relationship was found between the general self-concept score and racial attitude scores: and, no significant differences were found between the pre- and post-test on the Piers-Harris 2 results. However, MRA scores for White out-group showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-test results. Finally, the importance of friendship as a central theme emerged and was addressed as a way for these children to feel better about themselves.