The loyal member effect: On the preference for ingroup members who engage in exclusive relations with the ingroup

Castelli, L., De Amicis, L. and Sherman, S. J. (2007) The loyal member effect: On the preference for ingroup members who engage in exclusive relations with the ingroup. Developmental Psychology, 43(6), pp. 1347-1359. (doi: 10.1037/0012-1649.43.6.1347) (PMID:18020816)

Abstract

The goal of this article was to investigate an indirect form of intergroup differentiation in children in the context of racial attitudes: the preference for ingroup members who interact positively with other ingroup members rather than with outgroup members. Study 1 confirmed this general hypothesis with preschool and 1st-grade children, demonstrating that respondents preferred the ingroup member who played only with other ingroup members, evaluated this child more positively, and felt more similar to him or her. Studies 2 and 3 tested the boundary conditions of the phenomenon. Study 4 analyzed developmental changes demonstrating that the effect is no longer observed among 9- to 11-year-old children. Overall, these studies suggest that engaging in positive interactions with the outgroup might have its costs in terms of a relative devaluation and rejection by one's peers. Results are discussed by stressing the importance of intragroup processes for the regulation of intergroup relations among very young children.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: De Amicis, Dr Leyla
• Authors: Castelli, L., De Amicis, L., and Sherman, S. J.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Creativity Culture and Faith
• Journal Name: Developmental Psychology
• Publisher: American Psychological Association
• ISSN: 0012-1649
• ISSN (Online): 1939-0599