Recategorization and decategorization effects on reduction of intergroup bias: A child development perspective in intergroup symmetry and asymmetry

Abstract

Two studies test the efficacy of recategorization (Gaertner et al, 1989) and Decategorization (Brewer & Miller, 1984) models on reducing intergroup bias in high and low ethnic status children. Both studies were structured according to a 3 (condition) × 2 (group ethnic status) × 2 (target group) experimental design with social evaluation, social proximity and resource allocation as dependent measures. In study 1, using interaction between same ethnic status children, results showed that ingroup favouritism was better reduced through de-categorisation in low ethnic status groups, but was better reduced through re-categorisation in high ethnic status groups. In study 2, using interaction between different ethnic status children, both de-categorisation and re-categorisation were effective in reducing ingroup favouritism. Moreover, according to hypotheses, while in the de-categorisation condition discrimination was reduced through a decrease of ingroup members evaluation, in the re-categorisation condition discrimination was reduced through an increase of outgroup members' evaluation.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17575/rpsicol.v16i2.484