Similarity attracts: The role of personality in similarity perceptions and children's attitudes towards refugees

Abstract

Previous research has shown that children's intergroup similarity judgements are based not only on ethnicity but also on other dimensions such as sports interest. The present research investigates the role of personality in perceived similarity between ingroup children and refugee outgroup children. A study was conducted among 9‐ to 12‐year‐old children (N = 124) at two elementary schools in the Netherlands. It was predicted and found that children take into account ethnicity as well as personality (whether a child is introverted or extraverted) when judging similarity of ingroup (Dutch) and outgroup (refugee) children. Furthermore, we predicted and found that greater perceived similarity between Dutch children and refugee children was associated with more positive attitudes towards refugee children. Finally, children felt lower levels of anxiety towards an extraverted compared to an introverted refugee child. Lower anxiety, in turn, was associated with more positive attitudes towards refugee children. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Statement of contribution What is already known? McGlothlin et al. (2005, British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 23, 227) found that similarity ratings are based not only on ethnicity but also on sports interest.Studies among adults show that extraversion is negatively related to anxiety and positively to cross‐group friendships. What does this study add? The present study shows that children also base similarity ratings on the personality trait extraversion.Higher similarity between self/ingroup and refugee children is related to positive outgroup attitudes.This study shows that extraverted children feel less anxiety to an extraverted refugee child.Lower anxiety in children is related to more positive attitudes to refugee children in general.

Cultural diversity approaches in schools and adolescents’ willingness to support refugee youth

“…Identity inclusiveness was a one‐item measure with a general question about the similarity between self and refugee youth. A multiple‐item measure of identity inclusiveness or a specific similarity dimension (e.g., personality) could have better captured identity inclusiveness (Graham, 2018; Reches & Feddes, 2019). Through a heritage and intercultural learning approach, students may learn about the heritage cultures of students in a class and may develop more inclusive identities with regards to the students in their class.…”

(Not) in my backyard! Threat perceptions, psychological well-being, and collective action against refugee settlement.

“…Interestingly, one mechanism that Wright et al (1997) proposed that could underlie this extended contact effect, is that indirect contact-like direct contact-reduces feelings of threat. Extended contact interventions may thus be effective in preparing local residents for the arrival of refugees in their neighborhood, in schools and so forth (see also Cameron et al, 2006;Reches & Feddes, 2019;Turner & Cameron, 2016).…”

Ethno‐political socialization of young children in societies involved in intractable conflict: The case of Israel

“…The common identity approach replaces the previous intergroup boundaries with new, more inclusive ones, as one group that includes the in‐group and former out‐group members in one superordinate category (Cameron et al., 2007). In addition, the doll's stories introduced similarity between in‐ and out‐group members, which was found to be associated with positive intergroup attitudes (see Reches & Feddes, 2019). Overall, the intervention was successful in enhancing children's knowledge regarding out‐groups, and importantly, in changing children's attitudes towards out‐groups (in terms of liking and proximity).…”