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Learning and Socializing Preferences in Hong Kong Chinese Children
Author(s) -
Chen Eva E.,
Corriveau Kathleen H.,
Lai Veronica K.W.,
Poon Sze Long,
Gaither Sarah E.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
child development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.103
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1467-8624
pISSN - 0009-3920
DOI - 10.1111/cdev.13083
Subject(s) - psychology , preference , white (mutation) , developmental psychology , race (biology) , ethnic group , social psychology , peer group , racial group , gender studies , biochemistry , chemistry , sociology , anthropology , economics , gene , microeconomics
The impact of social group information on the learning and socializing preferences of Hong Kong Chinese children were examined. Specifically, the degree to which variability in racial out‐group exposure affects children's use of race to make decisions about unfamiliar individuals (Chinese, White, Southeast Asian) was investigated. Participants ( N = 212; M age = 60.51 months) chose functions for novel objects after informants demonstrated their use; indicated with which peer group member to socialize; and were measured on racial group recognition, preference, and identification. Overall, children preferred in‐group members, though out‐group exposure and the relative social status of out‐groups mattered as well. At a young age, children's specific experiences with different races influence how they learn and befriend others across racial group lines.