White children's empathy-related responding and prosocial behavior toward White and Black children

Tracy L. Spinrad, Nancy Eisenberg, Sonya Xinyue Xiao, Jingyi Xu, Rebecca H. Berger, Sarah L. Pierotti, Deborah J. Laible, Gustavo Carlo, Diana E. Gal-Szabo, Jayley Janssen, Ashley Fraser, Xiaoye Xu, Wen Wang, Jamie Lopez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Relations among White (non-Latinx) children's empathy-related responding, prosocial behaviors, and racial attitudes toward White and Black peers were examined. In 2017, 190 (54% boys) White 5- to 9-year-old children (M = 7.09 years, SD = 0.94) watched a series of videos that depicted social rejection of either a White or Black child. Empathy-related responses, prosocial behaviors, and racial attitudes were measured using multiple methods. Results showed that younger children showed less facial concern toward Black than White peers and greater increases with age in concern and prosocial behaviors (sharing a desirable prize) for Black, compared to White, targets. Children's facial anger increased with age for White but not Black targets. The findings can extend our understanding children's anti-racism development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)93-109
Number of pages17
JournalChild Development
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2023
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'White children's empathy-related responding and prosocial behavior toward White and Black children'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this