The Role of Social and Personal Norms of Majority Children in Predicting Attitudes Towards Refugee Peers

Abstract

Norms have been shown to predict a variety of intergroup outcomes
among children. A study with children in Croatia
(N = 184) who had no prior contact with refugee peers
examined the role of social and personal norms in shaping intergroup
outcomes with refugee peers. Regression analyses revealed
that perceived teachers' and peers' norms, along with
personal norms, predict general evaluation, social acceptance,
and contact intentions towards refugee children. Social norms,
especially those of teachers, were found to better predict attitudes,
while peer norms more strongly influenced behavioural outcomes.
These findings are important for educators and policymakers,
particularly in the context of Croatia's increasingly
diverse classrooms.