Social Behavior and Personality
Volume 45, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 931-941

Effects of negative metastereotype on intergroup relations among rural-to-urban migrant children in China (Article)

He W. , Xu L. , Sun Y. , Luo J. , Li H.*
  • a Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, China
  • b Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, China
  • c Department of Health Education, Sanda University, China
  • d Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, China
  • e Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, China

Abstract

We examined how group identification and intergroup anxiety jointly mediate the relationship between negative metastereotype and intergroup relations among rural-to-urban migrant children in China. Migrant children, who have both rural and urban identities, are sensitive to their uncertain status, which means that a negative metastereotype is easily activated. We recruited 105 migrant children who were randomly assigned to two groups. They received either a negative metastereotype or control manipulation. Intergroup anxiety, group identification, and intergroup relations were then assessed. Results showed that intergroup anxiety and urban identification could independently mediate the effects of a negative metastereotype on intergroup relations. Intergroup anxiety indirectly influenced intergroup relations through urban identification. These findings suggest that negative emotion and urban identification should be considered when studying the negative metastereotype of migrant children in China and should be included when planning interventions to improve intergroup relations of these children. © 2017 Scientific Journal Publishers Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Author Keywords

China Metastereotype Group identification Rural-to-urban migrant children Intergroup relations

Index Keywords

anxiety male controlled study female randomized controlled trial China major clinical study controlled clinical trial identity human migrant Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026810595&doi=10.2224%2fsbp.6548&partnerID=40&md5=789c90569f99e9f80fc6fb9876690d9a
DOI: 10.2224/sbp.6548
ISSN: 03012212
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English