Expecting gender outgroup members to be inclusive is related to positive attributions and contact with outgroup members

Inclusive group norms can reduce children’s discriminatory behavior and contribute to positive and diverse peer relationships. Little is known about how outgroup inclusive group norms are associated with children’s behaviors and attitudes towards cross-gender peers. To address this gap, the present study investigated how 7–12-year-old American children’s ( N = 983, M Age = 9.64 years, SD Age = 0.89); 51% female; 58.5% White, 17.5% Multiethnic, 8.3% Asian American, 5.6% Black, 4.2% Latinx, 0.6% Other, 5.3% not reported) perceptions of their gender outgroups’ inclusive norms were related to their reported play, desired play, and positive trait attributions of gender outgroup members. Children held higher inclusive norm expectations (INE) for their gender ingroup than outgroup. Children with higher outgroup INE reported and desired more play with gender outgroup members and had more positive attitudes towards them. The associations of INE with reported and desired play appeared to be stronger for boys than for girls.