2-124 - Children’s Emotions and Prosocial Behavior in the Context of Intergroup Relations

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Integrative Statement

Prosocial behaviors are related to positive outcomes in children, including healthy relationships and academic success. Findings suggest that, from early on, children aim to behave fairly and inclusively; however, in certain situations, children may prioritize their concerns regarding their social group membership, leading to social exclusion of out-group members and unequal access to resources. Therefore, understanding how group membership influences children’s prosocial behaviour provides important insights for the development of strategies that promote acceptance among diverse groups.

The four papers in this symposium use diverse samples to explore how contextual features (e.g., need of help and SES), emotional factors (e.g., sympathy), and social skills influence intergroup prosociality (e.g., social inclusion and resource allocation).
The first paper illustrates how 9- and 13-year-olds from the United States consider both need and level of help received when evaluating intergroup interactions. The second paper shows that Nepalese 10-18 year-olds with higher levels of intergroup trust and sympathy are more likely to rectify pre-existing social inequalities. The third paper discusses how Canadian 5- to 11-year-olds’ sympathy and pride may be key emotional motivators in their prosocial responding toward refugee children. The fourth paper examines how social-cognitive/emotional skills training and combined skills+contact approaches help to promote intergroup prosociality among Palestinian- and Jewish-Israeli youth.

Together, these results highlight how children consider contextual factors, such as pre-existing inequalities, need, and help received in intergroup interactions. Moreover, the findings suggest that intergroup emotions and social-cognitive skills may be important factors for the promotion of intergroup prosociality.

Sub Unit

• Diversity, Equity & Social Justice

Chairs

• Jeanine Grütter, University of Zurich / University of Maryland

• Joanna Peplak, University of Toronto

Individual Presentations

• Children and Adolescents’ Approval of Outgroup Helping: Need and Amount of Helping Matters. - Presenting Author: Aline Hitti, University of San Francisco; Non-Presenting Author: Kelly Lynn Mulvey, North Carolina State University; Non-Presenting Author: Jacquelyn Glidden, University of San Francisco

• The Role of Sympathy and Trust for Resource Allocation Decisions Within Preexisting Social Inequalities - Presenting Author: Jeanine Grütter, University of Zurich / University of Maryland; Non-Presenting Author: Sandesh Dhakal, Tribhuvan University; Non-Presenting Author: Melanie Killen, University of Maryland

• How Non-Refugee Children Feel About Refugee Children: Emotions and Links to Prosocial Behavior - Presenting Author: Joanna Peplak, University of Toronto; Non-Presenting Author: Tina Malti, University of Toronto

• The Effectiveness of Two Intervention Programs for Promoting Youth Intergroup Prosociality in the Middle-East - Presenting Author: Alaina Brenick, University of Connecticut; Non-Presenting Author: Daniell Carvalheiro, University of Connecticut; Non-Presenting Author: Samantha Lawrence, University of Connecticut; Non-Presenting Author: Rony Berger, Ben Gurion University of the Negev