Carol Blanche Cotton facts for kids

Carol Blanche Cotton (also known as Carol C. Bowie) was an important American psychologist. She was born on August 20, 1904, and passed away on November 22, 1971. A psychologist is a scientist who studies the human mind and behavior.

Carol was born in Henderson, North Carolina. She was the only child of John Adams Cotton and Maude (Brooks) Cotton.

Education and Early Research

Carol Cotton worked hard in school. She earned her first degree from Oberlin College. Later, she received her master's degree from Columbia University in 1927. In 1939, she earned her PhD from the Department of Psychology at the University of Chicago. Her dedication to science was recognized when she was chosen for the scientific honor society, Sigma Xi.

What Did Carol Cotton Study?

For her PhD, Carol Cotton wrote a special paper called a dissertation. It was titled "A study of the reactions of spastic children to certain test situations." In this study, she looked at how children with a condition called spastic paralysis performed on thinking tests.

She compared them to other children who were similar in age, gender, and mental ability. Her research showed that children with spastic paralysis answered the tests differently. For example, their answers were sometimes unusual or very direct, rather than abstract.

Carol Cotton's study suggested that these differences might be due to brain injuries. She believed that a medical diagnosis of the brain would be needed to fully understand her findings.

Professional Career

Carol Cotton Bowie dedicated her life to teaching and research. She first taught at Bennett College and Tuskegee University. These are both well-known colleges.

Later, she became a professor in the Psychology Department at what is now North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina. She became the head of that department. She worked there until she retired in 1962.

Personal Life and Family

Carol Cotton came from a family that valued education and community. Her great-grandmother, Rebecca Harris, was a domestic worker. Rebecca moved her family to Oberlin so her children could attend college there. This was because her oldest child was not allowed into a seminary due to their race. Rebecca Harris was also active in important meetings about people's rights in the 1800s.

Carol's father, Reverend John Adams Cotton, was a Presbyterian minister. He was the president of the Henderson Normal Institute for many years. He also served as president of Knoxville College. Carol's mother, Maude R. Brooks, also graduated from Oberlin College. She was an educator, musician, and writer. She even wrote a song called "We Are Lifting As We Climb."

On July 9, 1943, Carol Cotton married William T. Bowie in Chicago, Illinois. They had a daughter together, but later divorced. In her later years, Dr. Bowie lived in Oberlin, Ohio. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, a sorority focused on service and scholarship.

Honors and Recognition

In 1951, Carol Cotton Bowie was recognized for her important contributions to science. She was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. This is a high honor given to scientists who have made significant discoveries and advancements.

See also

In Spanish: Carol Blanche Cotton para niños