Intergroup bias in children’s preference for in- versus out-group informants.

The present research explored whether children manifest intergroup biases in their choice of informants from in- versus out-groups. We conducted two studies among Israeli Jewish and Arab children aged 5- and 8-year-old (N = 260; 51% girls, 49% boys). Study 1 served as a baseline with nonsocial targets of information, whereas Study 2 had people as targets. We examined biases in three respects: assessment of informants' expertise, preference for informants, and acceptance of informants' advice. Results revealed intergroup biases in children's choices of informants in all three respects, particularly when learning about people, and among younger and minority group children. The findings highlight how epistemic and social identity cues affect children's informant's choice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).