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Changing attitudes with a little imagination’: Imagined contact effects on young children’s intergroup bias.

Cameron, Lindsey, Rutland, Adam, Turner, Rhiannon N., Holman-Nicolas, Rosie, Powell, Claire (2011) Changing attitudes with a little imagination’: Imagined contact effects on young children’s intergroup bias. Anale de Psychologia, 27 (3). pp. 708-717. ISSN 0212-9728. (KAR id:27770)

Abstract

The current research tested a recent development in social psychology, namely ‘imagined contact’, among young children (n = 123, 5 to 10 years). Children imagined interacting with a physically disabled child, or did not take part in this activity (the control group). Compared with the control group, children who engaged in ‘imagined contact’ subsequently showed reduced inter-group bias in their general attitude and ratings of warmth and competence. Imagined contact also led to more positive intended friendship behavior towards the disabled, but only among 5 – 6 year olds. This provides partial support for our hypothesis that younger children, perhaps as a result of their lack of out-group experience, are more likely to benefit from imagined contact. Implications for the development of attitudes towards the disabled, imagined contact theory and the development of classroom-based prejudice-reduction techniques based on imagined contact are discussed.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Lindsey Cameron
Date Deposited: 10 May 2011 11:03 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:06 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/27770 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Cameron, Lindsey.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1388-1970
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Rutland, Adam.

Creator's ORCID:
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