The purpose of the present study was to examine the role of skin color (i.e., lightness–darkness), as it pertains to racial identity development theory and self‐esteem among 113 African American college students of various skin colors. Findings revealed that the sample preferred skin color of a medium tone, rather than exhibiting self‐preference for either lighter or darker skin tones. There was also a significant relationship between one's perceptions of and preferences for his or her skin color and the skin tones idealized by others (e.g., opposite gender, family). Lighter skin color was positively related to higher levels of racial identity attitudes (immersion/emersion); the more satisfied darker skinned individuals were with their skin color, the lower their self‐esteem, and gender differences existed in perceptions of others’ preferences for skin color. Implications of this study for providing therapeutic clinical services and fostering the healthy psychological development of African American men, women, and children are discussed.

This article combines a review of the psychological and sociohistorical literature on African American color consciousness with a model that explains how it may contribute to differential outcomes for group members. It is hypothesized that attractive individuals are viewed as more competent than unattractive individuals on multiple dimensions. It is hypothesized that African Americans who approximate European American standards of physical attractiveness are viewed as more attractive and that lighter skinned African Americans may be viewed as more competent on a variety of dimensions. Implications for research and mental health practice are discussed.

Multiple regression analyses of data obtained for 36 counseling supervision dyads indicated that attractiveness, an aspect of supervisory style, was negatively associated with supervisees' self-evaluations and positively associated with the difference between trainees' and supervisors' evaluations of counseling competence at the end of the 1st practicum experience. Supervisors' interpersonal sensitivity and task orientation were not found to contribute significantly to either of the criterion variables.Supervisees' accurate self-evaluation of work with clients has been identified as an important outcome of successful counseling supervision (Bernard & Goodyear, 1998;Borders et al., 1991;Elks & Kirkhart, 1993;Perlesz, Stolk, & Firestone. 1990). Accurate self-evaluation of counseling competency has been empirically linked with counselor self-efficacy. the degree to which individuals perceive themselves to be able to orchestrate and continuously improvise multiple subskills to manage ever-changing circumstances in sessions with clients (Daniels. 1997;Larson. 1998;Larson. Cardwell, & Majors. 1996;Larson & Daniels, 1998Larson et al .. 1993. The concept of self-efficacy includes knowing what to do and having a level of judgment of how well one can effectivelyrespond to prospective situations (Bandura, 1982). SupeIVisees who most accurately self-evaluate tend to approach future therapeutic relationships confidently. Given this association. a clear understanding is imperative of the variables within supervision that influence supervtsees' ability to accurately self-evaluate. SugervisoEX; S!X'le! SU2ervision Process~and OutcomeSupervisory style is the manner through which supervisors exhibit attractiveness. task orientation. and interpersonal senstttv-

Boyd-Franklin (1991) described the pervasive nature of color consciousness within African American families and current research supports this idea. It appears that many people learn about color consciousness via verbal and non-verbal family interactions. Breland (1998a) proposed that color consciousness is an area in need of study and that researchers should attempt to determine its causes and effects. Specifically, she wrote, "Research demonstrating the relationship between skin tone bias and self-esteem... might be quite beneficial in understanding this phenomenon. Given the... discussion regarding color consciousness and African American

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