Prejudice: From Individual Identity To Nationalism

How do some little angels turn into bigoted little monsters? How and when do children start to realize who they are and which groups they belong to? How do they view other races, other members of society, people from different religions? This book is a study of how people's attitudes towards each other develop from an early age. Based on empirical research of children aged 5 -11, it explores the nature of categorization and stereotypes - from groups to nations. Following the development of a child's sense of identity the author shows how snobbery, xenophobia, chauvinism and blinkered attitudes to others are acquired through time. While frighteningly forthright, the book's positive message is that strong prejudice (eg racism and chauvinism) is preventable.