How Do Children Learn Social Categorization and Intergroup Attitudes When They Grow Up in Divided Contexts?

Edona Maloku, Belle Derks, Colette Van Laar, Naomi Ellemers, Jocelyn Dautel and Laura K. Taylor ()
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Edona Maloku: Institute for Psychological Research, Social and Organizational Psychology Unit, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9555, 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands
Belle Derks: Department of Social, Health and Organizational Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Room H1.32, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
Colette Van Laar: Center for Social and Cultural Psychology, University of Leuven, Tiensestraat 102, P.O. Box 3727, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Naomi Ellemers: Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, P.O. Box 80125, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
Jocelyn Dautel: School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT6 9SG, UK
Laura K. Taylor: School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Newman Building, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland

Social Sciences, 2023, vol. 12, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: This paper explores how group preferences develop among children living in the post-conflict context of Kosovo and how this development shapes children’s willingness to be close to their outgroup peers among the segregated majority (ethnic Albanian) and minority (ethnic Serb) members. The study was conducted in four ethnically divided primary schools, with 220 participants aged 6–10. Children played a series of games and tasks which measured ethnic ingroup preference, preference for the Kosovar flag, and willingness to be close to ethnic outgroup children. Children in this context where a new national Kosovar identity is developing following independence display very high ethnic ingroup preferences. Kosovar Serb children showed low willingness to engage with outgroup members and remained constant with age, while Kosovar Albanian children’s willingness to engage with the outgroup was present among younger children but diminished with age. Results add to the literature on the underlying process by which identity develops among segregated majority and minority who have little or no opportunities to interact. Lack of intergroup contact hinders the development of more positive intergroup relations. To build a peaceful coexistence, programs which connect the segregated schools and facilitate intergroup contact, especially among the younger age groups, are recommended.

Keywords: children; conflict; social categories; Kosovo; majority and minority (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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