Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 21, 2025
10:29
A Complex Diving-For-Food Task to Investigate Social Organization and Interactions in Rats
Published on: May 8, 2021
4.2K
Group Norms Influence Children's Expectations About Status Based on Wealth and Popularity
Kathryn M Yee1, Jacquelyn Glidden1, Melanie Killen1
1Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|June 1, 2022
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Social psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Childhood studies
Background:
- Children's perceptions of social status and group norms shape their expectations.
- Status is complex, with dimensions like wealth and popularity influencing children's views.
- Understanding how children navigate these social hierarchies is crucial for developmental research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how status level and group norms affect children's expectations of intergroup affiliation.
- To examine children's responses to wealth and popularity status dimensions in social scenarios.
- To explore age-related differences in children's social expectations.
Main Methods:
- 165 children (ages 5-10) participated in a study involving hypothetical social scenarios.
- Participants were presented with situations varying in target status (high/low) and group norms (inclusive/exclusive).
- Children predicted social resource acquisition based on wealth and popularity contexts.
Main Results:
- Children inferred more from wealth status than popularity status.
- Exclusionary norms reduced expected social resource acquisition, particularly in wealth-based groups.
- While age influenced norm-based expectations, status did not show significant age differences.
Conclusions:
- Children's understanding of social status and norms significantly impacts their expectations for resource acquisition.
- Wealth appears to be a more salient status dimension than popularity for young children.
- Group norms, especially exclusion, play a critical role in shaping children's social expectations, with age-related variations observed.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
8
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...
8
01:28Impact of Groups on Individuals
25
Groups play a fundamental role in shaping individual behavior, as they establish norms that guide interactions and decision-making. Social psychology examines how individuals conform to group expectations, often adjusting their attitudes and actions to align with group norms. These norms can be formal, such as workplace policies, or informal, such as unspoken social expectations within a fraternity.Conformity and Social InfluenceConformity arises when individuals modify their behaviors or...
25
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
149
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
149
01:21Impact of Social Context on Individuals
16
Social psychology examines how the real or imagined presence of others influences individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. A key concept in this field is the role of social context in shaping behavior. The same individual may act differently depending on the social setting, due to the varying expectations and norms associated with each environment. This context-dependent behavior illustrates the influence of social roles, which prescribe appropriate conduct in specific situations.Social...
16
03:20The Stanford Prison Experiment
23.8K
The famous and controversial Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted by social psychologist Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University, demonstrated the power of social roles, social norms, and scripts.
23.8K
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
87
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...
87