You want to foster the development of effective social cognition in a group of children. Which one of the following techniques is least likely to be effective?
A) Create opportunities for the children to discover that people from a particular racial group are all individuals with unique characteristics.
B) Talk to the children about what they are feeling and why; acknowledge that people can have mixed feelings.
C) Encourage the children to speculate about what characters in storybooks might be thinking and feeling.
D) If the children are age 6 or younger, praise them when they describe certain ethnic groups in stereotypical ways, because stereotypes form a foundation for more flexible views later on.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Praising children for describing ethnic groups in stereotypical ways, especially at a young age, is not effective for fostering the development of effective social cognition. It can reinforce harmful stereotypes and hinder the development of a nuanced understanding of individual differences. The other options (A, B, C) promote understanding, empathy, and the recognition of individuality, which are crucial for healthy social cognition.

You Want to Foster the Development of Effective Social Cognition