The Effect of Exposure to Social Media Police Violence on the Academic Self-efficacy of African American Male College Students
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Author
Jones, Simone
Publisher
Washburn University
Sponsor
Department of Psychology
Issue Date
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Abstract
In the United States, African American men have been stereotypically impacted by
excessive rates of discrimination, poor mental health outcomes, and underachievement (Franklin
& Boyd-Franklin, 2000). Historically, African Americans as a race, have endured one of the
nation’s most profound tragedies (Boyd & Franklin, 2000). The recorded emergence of Chattel
Slavery beginning in the mid-1770s has had an everlasting impact on the social structure of
American society (Elligan & Utsey, 1999). African American men particularly, have been
classified as a dysfunctional group of individuals by mainstream society. Unfavorable
stereotypes have followed African American men as they have remained targets of racial
profiling (Welch, 2007) and continuously obtain limited access to academic achievement
(Stoops, 2004). It is of relevance that America gain greater insight into the psychological barriers
faced by African American men pursuing academic success. The purpose of this study is to
assess the impact exposure to police violence observed through social media, may have on the
academic self-efficacy of African American male college students. It is hypothesized, that
African American male college students exposed to posts of police violence may experience an
increase in negative beliefs regarding their racial identity. Subsequent increases of exposure and
negative self-perception may lend to decreases in confidence regarding a student’s ability to
perform well in academic domains.