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Young Children, Minimal Groups, and Dichotomous Categorization

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, darrens{at}congreso.net

Research suggests that ingroup bias in the minimal group paradigm may rely on dichotomous categorization, not social categorization per se. Dichotomous categorization may prime competition because of its unique cultural significance. Young children often do not demonstrate the culturally shaped cognitive tendencies of their elders, even though they can. Thus, young children may not show bias in the minimal group context. Two experiments examined these issues. In Experiment 1, children completed a minimal groups task in two-or three-group conditions. They received no prime, a neutral prime, or a competitive prime. As predicted, children did not display ingroup bias in two-or three-group conditions unless competitively primed. In Experiment 2, undergraduate students completed a minimal groups task in two-or three-group conditions. They received no prime or a competitive prime. As predicted, undergraduates displayed bias in two-group contexts. They displayed bias in three-group contexts only when competitively primed.

Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 11, 1433-1441 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167200263010


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