Two studies (conducted in 2013) examined whether elementary-aged children endorse a within-gender stereotype about sexualized girls. In Study 1, children (N = 208) ages 6-11 rated sexualized girls as more popular but less intelligent, athletic, and nice compared to nonsexualized girls. These distinctions were stronger for girls and older children,…

The present study examined the interactive effects of school norms, peer norms, and accountability on children's intergroup attitudes. Participants (n = 229) aged 5-11 years, in a between-subjects design, were randomly assigned to a peer group with an inclusion or exclusion norm, learned their school either had an inclusion norm or not, and were…

This study investigates how children negotiate social norms with peers. In Study 1, 48 pairs of 3- and 5-year-olds (N = 96) and in Study 2, 48 pairs of 5- and 7-year-olds (N = 96) were presented with sorting tasks with conflicting instructions (one child by color, the other by shape) or identical instructions. Three-year-olds differed from older…

Children (n = 133, aged 8-13) were interviewed about helping situations that systematically varied in recipient's need for help and the costs for the helper. In situations where helping a peer involved low costs, children perceived a moral obligation to help that was independent of peer norms, parental authority, and reciprocity…

Five- to 13-year-old European American children ("N" = 76) predicted characters' decisions, emotions, and obligations in prosocial moral dilemmas. Across age, children judged that characters would feel more positive emotions helping an unfamiliar child from the racial in-group versus out-group (African American), happier ignoring the…

Children and adolescents evaluated group inclusion and exclusion in the context of generic and group-specific norms involving morality and social conventions. Participants ("N" = 381), aged 9.5 and 13.5 years, judged an in-group member's decision to deviate from the norms of the group, whom to include, and whether their personal…

Determined whether 72 first, third, and fifth graders would construe the fairness of societal practices as dependent on the implicit contract or definition of a situation. Children judged the fairness and effectiveness of practices differently for different situations. (RJC)

Examined tolerance of children's, adolescents', and young adults' judgments about dissenting beliefs, speech, practices, and people engaged in those practices. Found that tolerance of dissenting beliefs and speech increased with age. Tolerance was most common with dissenting beliefs, then speech, persons engaged in the practice, and the practice…

Assessed predictions from social identity theory (SIT) concerning acquisition of young children's intra- and intergroup attitudes and cognitions. Found that children as young as 5 years of age were sensitive to the status of their social group, and that ingroup status had important implications for their desire to remain group members and their…