Who was the first African American to receive a PhD in psychology in the United States?
Kenneth
Clark Carl
Rogers
Francis Cecil Sumner
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is Francis Cecil Sumner.
Francis Cecil Sumner is recognized as the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology in the United States. He completed his doctoral studies at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1920. Sumner’s groundbreaking achievement in a field that was predominantly white at the time was a significant moment in both the history of psychology and the broader history of African Americans in education.
Sumner was deeply influenced by his desire to contribute to the understanding of racial issues. His doctoral dissertation focused on the psychology of race and the challenges faced by African Americans, a theme that was rare in psychological research during that era. He believed that psychology should be used to improve the social and educational conditions of African Americans and other marginalized groups.
Sumner’s academic journey began at a time when racial discrimination was rampant in the U.S., and there were significant barriers for African Americans in higher education. Despite these challenges, he overcame racial prejudice and earned his PhD, setting a precedent for future generations of African American psychologists. After receiving his PhD, Sumner went on to teach at several institutions, including the historically Black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he mentored many African American students who later made their own contributions to the field.
His work was highly influential in shaping the development of psychology as an academic discipline. Sumner also paved the way for other African Americans, including Kenneth Clark, who would go on to become a prominent psychologist known for his work on racial segregation and child development, famously conducting the “doll test” to study the effects of segregation on African American children’s self-perception.
Francis Cecil Sumner’s legacy remains important today, as he helped challenge the racial barriers in academia and inspired future generations of psychologists.