Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
05:03
Author Spotlight: Unveiling Mechanisms of Stress Resilience - Significant Findings, Advancements, and Future Research
Published on: December 15, 2023
5.1K
The development and developmental consequences of social essentialism
Marjorie Rhodes1, Tara M Mandalaywala1
1Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science
|March 9, 2017
Summary
Children develop essentialist beliefs about social categories like gender and race early in life. These beliefs shape their understanding of social groups, influencing stereotypes and prejudice.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Social categories (e.g., gender, race) are often perceived as natural and reflecting inherent differences.
- Essentialism posits that these categories represent fundamental, meaningful distinctions between groups of people.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the developmental origins of social essentialism in children.
- To explore the consequences of social essentialist beliefs for stereotyping and prejudice.
Main Methods:
- Review of developmental processes underlying the emergence of social essentialism.
- Analysis of existing research on the implications of essentialism for intergroup relations.
Main Results:
- Social essentialism emerges in early childhood as children interpret their environment using cognitive biases.
- These beliefs show significant variability across development and cultures.
- Essentialism is linked to stereotyping, intergroup interactions, and prejudice development.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the development of social essentialism is crucial for addressing social biases.
- Future research should include diverse samples to better understand cross-cultural variations.
- Further investigation is needed on the precise mechanisms linking essentialism to prejudice.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
325
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
325
01:28Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood
1.8K
Erik Erikson, a stage theorist, adapted Freud's theory to emphasize social factors in personality development throughout life, a concept known as psychosocial development. Unlike Freud, who focused on early childhood, Erikson believed that personality evolves across eight life stages, each marked by a specific challenge or "crisis." Successful resolution of each stage fosters competence, while failure may lead to feelings of inadequacy.
The first four of Erikson's eight...
The first four of Erikson's eight...
1.8K
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
354
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
354
01:29Social Identity
401
Social identity constitutes a significant aspect of an individual’s self-concept, shaped by membership in various social groups, including gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and political affiliation. Individuals associate specific traits with particular social groups, leading to internalization of these traits. For example, musicians are often perceived as creative, while women are frequently associated with nurturing tendencies. Once individuals identify with a...
401
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
999
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Primary Temperament Types
999
01:24Social Foundations of Self I: Play and Game
260
The development of self in children is deeply rooted in social interactions, mainly through stages of play and structured games. These stages, outlined by sociologist George Herbert Mead, illustrate how children progressively learn to understand and adopt social roles, forming a cohesive sense of self.The Play Stage: Imitation and Simple Role-TakingIn the early years of childhood, the play stage is characterized by imitative behavior, where children engage in role-playing based on familiar...
260