A study of variables involved in the development of ethnic awareness and attitudes in children

Abstract

Much has been written on the relationship between the Maori and the pakeha (European) inhabitants of New Zealand. In his survey of the literature on race relations in New Zealand, Thompson (1963) mentions some one hundred and fifty publications, the great majority of which concern Maori and pakeha. These reports show that a situation of stress exists between the two main groups of a multiracial society which is commonly supposed to be well integrated. Consequently, investigation into this relationship is very necessary. Included in the increasingly intensive and extensive study of a problem which must be assessed and coped with have been a number of psychological studies, particularly by social psychologists. Their investigations have been into topics as diverse as the basic Maori character structure and the impression given of the pakeha attitude towards Maoris by reports in New Zealand newspapers. Gradually a well-documented description of the psychology involved in the relationship between the two ethnic groups is becoming possible. The area of study with which the present investigation is concerned is one which is basic to this description and analysis. It is the development in the typical child of each race of a concept of his ethnic out-group, and of his attitudes towards that out-group. Probably the most significant work on this area published to date has been that of Vaughan (1962a, 1964b). His studies have adhered closely to scientific principles, while remaining broadly enough oriented to permit far-reaching conclusions to be made from their findings. The present study is therefore largely an attempt both to build upon, and to substantiate, Vaughan's work.