Children's prosocial behavioural intentions towards outgroup members

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Intergroup Relations

Background:

• Understanding children's prosocial behavior towards outgroup members is crucial for fostering positive intergroup relations.
• Factors such as intergroup competition, social perspective taking (SPT), and empathy may influence these prosocial intentions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how intergroup competition, social perspective taking (SPT), and empathy affect children's prosocial intentions towards outgroup peers.
• To examine age-related differences in these influences.

Main Methods:

• Two studies involving children aged 5-10 years (N=287) were conducted.
• Study 1 used a minimal group situation to compare prosociality in competitive versus non-competitive contexts.
• Study 2 examined prosociality in a real group setting, assessing empathy, competitive motivation, and SPT, including a subsequent non-competitive phase.

Main Results:

• Intergroup competition reduced prosociality towards outgroup members.
• Higher empathy and lower competitive motivation were linked to increased prosociality in competitive contexts.
• Age moderated the effects of SPT and competitiveness, with older children showing stronger positive associations between SPT and prosociality, and negative associations between competitiveness and prosociality.
• A carry-over effect of intergroup competitiveness was observed in older children, suppressing later prosociality.

Conclusions:

• Intergroup competition significantly impacts children's willingness to help outgroup peers.
• Empathy and reduced competitive motivation enhance prosociality, particularly in competitive settings.
• Developmental changes in social perspective taking and competitiveness influence intergroup prosociality, with older children showing lasting effects of competition.