Adolescent Ethnic Prejudice: Understanding the Effects of Parental Extrinsic Versus Intrinsic Goal Promotion

ABSTRACT

Based on Self-Determination Theory, the role of parental extrinsic versus intrinsic (E / I) goal promotion for adolescent ethnic prejudice and the mechanisms underlying this effect were examined in a sample of adolescents and their parents. Results indicate that paternal and maternal E / I goal promotion had a significantly positive effect on ethnic prejudice. This effect could be accounted for by differences in adolescent right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO). In addition, differences in adolescent E / I goal pursuit fully mediated the effects of parental E / I goal promotion on RWA and SDO. Finally, the effects of adolescent E / I goal pursuits on ethnic prejudice were fully mediated by RWA and SDO. Implications of these findings will be discussed.

Keywords:

• authoritarianism
• goals
• parenting
• prejudice
• social dominance
• values

Acknowledgments

The author was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO).