| In countries where population consists of the members of different ethnic and racial groups, it is important to use a multicultural approach in education. The goal of the present research is to explain the connection between age, cognitive abilities, empathic understanding and their relationship with the social attitude of racial stereotyping. It is possible to see the effect of cognitive limitations of the children in their reasoning about others, and consequently in their empathic understanding and in their racial stereotyping behavior.In this study it was predicted that while the age (maturation) of the children increases, their cognitive abilities would change, and their egocentrism would be reduced. These changes would help them to understand others emotions better. Therefore age, cognitive development and empathy would relate to children's racial stereotyping behavior. The children were measured on their cognitive level, their empathic understanding and the endorsement of racial stereotypes. The results of the statistical analysis of these measurements indicated that age was the most significant variable in relation to racial stereotyping behavior. Also there was a high relationship between age and cognitive development and empathic understanding. Empathy had a negative relationship with racial stereotyping behavior. Thus, the maturation that happens as a result of interaction between cognitive abilities and environment that provides events to experience, is associated with cognitive development and empathic understanding. As a result, the positive experiences that children might gain with age appropriate multicultural education would help them to reduce egocentrism and improve the understanding of others' feelings. Therefore, they may reduce the racial stereotyping behavior. |
