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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...
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What is social essentialism and how does it develop?

Marjorie Rhodes1, Kelsey Moty1

  • 1New York University, New York, NY, United States.

Advances in Child Development and Behavior
|June 23, 2020
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Social essentialism, the belief in inherent group differences, develops in early childhood. Understanding its origins is key to combating stereotyping and social prejudice.

Keywords:
Conceptual developmentSocial cognitionSocial essentialism

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Cognition

Background:

  • Social essentialism posits that social categories like gender and race reflect inherent, natural distinctions.
  • Essentialist beliefs can lead to negative outcomes such as stereotyping and social prejudice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the developmental origins of social essentialism.
  • To explore how basic conceptual development processes contribute to essentialist beliefs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of developmental psychology literature.
  • Analysis of cognitive processes underlying belief formation.

Main Results:

  • Social essentialism is not innate but develops through early childhood processes.
  • Basic conceptual development processes contribute to various components of essentialist beliefs.

Conclusions:

  • Essentialist beliefs are learned, not innate, and emerge from developmental processes.
  • Understanding the development of social essentialism is crucial for addressing its adverse consequences.