The Influences of Behavior Valence and Actor Race on Black and White Children's Moral and Liking Judgments

Abstract

Preschoolers, 1st graders, and 4th graders were shown line drawings that depicted 2 prosocial and 2 aggressive behaviors. Black actors or White actors were depicted in the scenarios, and a brief description of each behavior was read to the child. For each scenario, children rated their liking for the actor and the morality of the actor's behavior. Findings indicated that children at each age level significantly differentiated the actors by behavior valence for moral and liking judgments. However, the moral judgments of White preschoolers were more differentiated by behavior valence than the judgments of Black preschoolers. Also, there was more differentiation of actors by behavior valence for liking judgments as the age levels of the children increased. Black actors received more negative moral judgments than did White actors only at the preschool level.