When Does the In-Group Like the Out-Group? Bias Among Children as a Function of Group Norms

Rutland, Adam, Hitti, Aline, Lynn Mulvey, Kelly, Abrams, Dominic, Killen, Melanie (2015) When Does the In-Group Like the Out-Group? Bias Among Children as a Function of Group Norms. Association for Psychological Science, 26 (6). pp. 834-842. (doi:10.1177/0956797615572758)

Abstract

Research indicates that in-group favoritism is prevalent among both adults and children. Although research has documented that individuals do not consistently display an in-group bias, the conditions under which out-group preference exists are not well understood. In this study, participants (N = 462) aged 9 to 16 years judged in-group deviant acts that were either in line with or counter to a generic norm shared by both groups. The findings demonstrated, for the first time, that children preferred out-group over in-group deviance only when the in-group peer’s deviance was in line with the generic norm and a threat to their group’s identity. Participants justified their disapproval of these deviants by focusing on the need for group cohesion and loyalty, while they signified their approval by spotlighting the need for autonomy. Our findings suggest that children’s intergroup attitudes are influenced by how the behavior of their peers matches different levels of group norms.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1177/0956797615572758
Uncontrolled keywords:	In-group bias, group norms, attitudes, deviance, peer relations, social development, reasoning
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Psychology > Centre for the Study of Group Processes Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Psychology Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Psychology > Social Psychology
Depositing User:	Emily Fell
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2017 10:34 UTC
Last Modified:	29 May 2019 18:54 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/61202 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)