The role of individuation in the development of intergroup relations

Abstract

This commentary addresses the development of intergroup relations. We argue that children's reasoning about particular groups is strongly influenced by cues that shape the extent to which they conceive of group members in an undifferentiated way versus as distinct individuals. These cues include opportunities for contact with group members as well as the form and content of the information about social groups that children are exposed to. This approach to conceptualizing intergroup conflict builds upon important theoretical frameworks such as psychological essentialism, and it can be used to generate predictions about how intergroup attitudes will develop. Highlights We address the development of intergroup attitudes. We argue that development is influenced by cues that shape whether group members are viewed as distinct individuals. This framework points to ways to encourage intergroup understanding and reduce intergroup conflict.

Young children form generalized attitudes based on a single encounter with an outgroup member

“…This suggests that interracial contact might be more effective when it involves getting to know multiple other‐race individuals rather than just a single person. Such interaction may promote viewing outgroups members as distinct individuals rather than as part of an undifferentiated social group (Heyman & Yazdi, 2019; Lee et al., 2017; Qian et al., 2017).…”

Children’s Intergroup Attitudes: Insights From Iran

“…Iranian children’s focus on status concerns means that children may avoid Arabs and other children considered to have lower social status even when given opportunities to interact with them. As a consequence, it will likely take special efforts to humanize members of low‐status groups, to allow them to be viewed as distinct individuals rather than as part of an undifferentiated group (Heyman & Yazdi, 2019). Our findings also provide hope that Iranian children are likely to welcome opportunities for intergroup friendship with some dissimilar others, and that such interactions have the potential to promote better Iranian‐American relations.…”