Linguistic Intergroup Bias at School

Linguistic Intergroup Bias (LIB) (Maass Castelli & Arcuri 2000) was investigated in French elementary schools between children of the French majority group (White children of European heritage) and a French minority group (Black children from Sub-Saharan Africa). Participants (N = 360; 7-11 year-olds; mean age =10.36 SD =.85) were shown photographs presenting a target character (ingroup or outgroup) engaging in a positive behavior (e.g. a helping action) or a negative behavior (e.g. an aggressive action). Demonstrations of ingroup favoritism with no outgroup derogation were expected for White children from the majority group. These hypotheses were confirmed. Unexpectedly the same pattern of results was found for the minority ingroup favoritism and no outgroup derogation. Theoretical and applied implications of these findings are discussed.