Child Development
Volume 77, Issue 5, 2006, Pages 1208-1219

Changing children's intergroup attitudes toward refugees: Testing different models of extended contact (Article)

Cameron L.* , Rutland A. , Brown R. , Douch R.
  • a University of Kent, United Kingdom, Department of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NP, United Kingdom
  • b University of Kent, United Kingdom
  • c University of Sussex, United Kingdom
  • d University of Kent, United Kingdom

Abstract

The present research evaluated an intervention, derived from the "extended contact hypothesis," which aimed to change children's intergroup attitudes toward refugees. The study (n = 253) tested 3 models of extended contact among 5- to 11-year-old children: dual identity, common ingroup identity, and decategorization. Children read friendship stories based upon these models featuring in- and outgroup members. Outgroup attitudes were significantly more positive in the extended contact conditions, compared with the control, and this was mediated by "inclusion of other in self." The dual identity intervention was the most effective extended contact model at improving outgroup attitudes. The effect of condition on outgroup intended behavior was moderated by subgroup identity. Implications for theoretically based prejudice-reduction interventions among children are discussed. © 2006 by the Society for Research in Child Development, Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

social psychology refugee Interpersonal Relations psychological aspect Social Identification human Refugees child behavior human relation Humans attitude male preschool child female Child, Preschool Article group process Group Processes Prejudice social behavior Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33749030691&doi=10.1111%2fj.1467-8624.2006.00929.x&partnerID=40&md5=e7711483101c10de5b2d3b83f26277ef
DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-8624.2006.00929.x
ISSN: 00093920
Cited by: 191
Original Language: English