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Children’s prosocial behavioural intentions toward outgroup members

Abrams, Dominic, Van de Vyer, Julie, Pelletier, Joseph, Cameron, Lindsey (2015) Children’s prosocial behavioural intentions toward outgroup members. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 33 (3). pp. 277-294. ISSN 0261-510X. (doi:10.1111/bjdp.12085) (KAR id:48696)

Abstract

When will children decide to help outgroup peers? We examined how intergroup competition, social perspective taking (SPT), and empathy influence children's (5–10 years, N = 287) prosocial intentions towards outgroup members. Study 1 showed that, in a minimal group situation, prosociality was lower in an intergroup competitive than in a non-competitive or interpersonal context. Study 2 revealed that, in a real groups situation involving intergroup competition, prosociality was associated with higher empathy and lower competitive motivation. In a subsequent non-competitive context, there were age differences in the impact of SPT and competitive motivation. With age, relationships strengthened between SPT and prosociality (positively) and between competitiveness and prosociality (negatively). Among older children, there was a carry-over effect whereby feelings of intergroup competitiveness aroused by the intergroup competitive context suppressed outgroup prosociality in the following non-competitive context. Theoretical and practical implications for improving children's intergroup relationships are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1111/bjdp.12085
Uncontrolled keywords: prosociality;empathy;perspective taking;competition;intergroup
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Lindsey Cameron
Date Deposited: 31 May 2015 12:14 UTC
Last Modified: 10 Dec 2022 19:44 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48696 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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