Date of Award

Spring 5-2015

Document Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

EVMS School of Health Professions

Program/Concentration

Art Therapy and Counseling

Committee Director

Sarah Deaver

Committee Member

Cheryl Doby-Copeland

Abstract

This study explored characteristics of children’s Human Figure Drawings (HFD) to determine whether any relationship existed between drawing characteristics and the artists’ identified race. Three hundred nine children’s HFDs obtained from the Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) art therapy database were used in the study. The drawings were completed by 34 Black American males, 61 Black American females, 105 White American males, and 149 White American females, the children were between the ages of 7 and 11, and attended public schools in Southeastern Virginia. A checklist was developed through content analysis that contained 11 items associated with each group. The drawings were rated and the data was analyzed statistically using the grouping variables, gender and race. The data analysis determined that statistically significant relationships did exist between some drawing characteristics and identified race. Specific drawing characteristics of Skin Color Fill Incongruent, Racial Ambiguity, Clothing Details, Multiple Figures, and Environment showed significant differences across groups. The results were in agreement with previous literature, and provided further insight into racial/ethnic awareness in children. Art therapy practices designed to explore culturally influenced artmaking could provide an opportunity for children to deepen their own understanding and appreciation of self.

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