The Relationship Between First Names and Teacher Expectations for Achievement Motivation

Abstract

This study examines perceptions of achievement motivation as influenced by first name and student ethnicity. One hundred thirty elementary school teachers were given a vignette of a fifth-grade student and instructed to judge the behavior and characteristics of the student. Results showed that there was a significant main effect for an ethnic first name. Overall, significantly lower achievement scores were given by raters whose descriptions used an African American-sounding name rather than a Caucasian-sounding name.

“Selling the Farm to Buy the Cow”

“…Similarly, Anderson-Clark et al (2008) found that teachers did indeed have more negative expectations for students with "more African American sounding names" in a study that, unlike others, "explicitly separated the race and name variables" using a series of vignettes of the "typical" fifth-grade student. The only variation in the vignettes was the name and race of the student (i.e., White student with White name, Black student with Black name, White student with Black name, and Black student with White name).…”

“…Sellers, Smith, Shelton, Rowley, and Chavous (1998) state, "Although many ethnic groups have experienced discrimination and oppression in the United States, the form of oppression that African Americans have faced is unique" (p. 18). Existing scholarship correlates economic (Bertrand & Mullainathan, 2004) and academic (Anderson-Clark, Green, & Henley, 2008) implications for Black names, acknowledging the existence of consequences that influence daily life for people of African decent. Interestingly, the negative ideas attributed to Black names are not phenomenological but rather a manifestation of the history of "race" and racism in the United States.…”

Basking in reflected glory: the election of president Obama and naming behaviour

“…Previous research has also shown general predictions of desirable first names to be associated with high self-concept and achievement as compared to less desirable first names (Garwood 1976). Research indicates that names can also imply both positive and negative attributes and thus parents should understand that names can compromise children's hopes and dreams because of the power associated with them (Anderson-Clark, Green, and Henley 2008).…”

“…Parents should know the importance, implications, and effects of first names and be aware that names can have positive or negative effects. The ethnic sound of a child's name may affect how the child is treated by others, such as teachers (Anderson-Clark, Green, and Henley 2008). In reality then, the issue becomes a balancing act of choosing to affirm one's racial identity through the expression of names while attempting to avoid the prejudice and discrimination that might be elicited through those names.…”

The Influence of Ethnicity on Teacher Expectations and Teacher Perceptions of Student Warmth and Competence

“…In your opinion, at the new school this student is capable of learning the material presented in class. 4. In your opinion, at the new school this student has the skills necessary to be successful in school.…”