'Language and the Development of Children's Ethnic Prejudice - Critical Analysis.

        The method for selecting the children for the various studies are not outlined in the article, but it is implied that a random selection of children of varying ages, sexes and races (a selection of white and black children) have been chosen. There is no bias evident in the selection of the children, but as the selection process is not clearly outlined, it is difficult to accurately assess bias. Researchers did not conduct the studies using an experimental group and a control group, as the study used mainly an interview-style method of collecting information from each subject. The methods used to conduct the various studies are not extensively discussed in the article, Nesdale preferring to focus the article on the implications of the information collected rather than the collection of this data.

        In order to conduct the various studies outlined in the article, various methods were used to collect information from the subjects. Primarily interview-style methods were used to analyse the children, where an adult researcher would ask questions based on scenarios involving children of different races, some based on pictures portraying these scenarios. The children were questioned about the scenario, and what they thought about particular aspects of it. In this way, each child studied was assessed based on their views of ethnicity. These views were ascertained through the use of various stimulus questions that determined a child’s view of children whose skin colour differed from their own. It is implied that each child is presented with the same questions and scenarios, however this is not explicitly stated. As none of the studies outlined were carried out specifically for the purpose of this article, Nesdale has not given detailed descriptions of the methods used for each study he refers to, instead including only the information that supports his hypothesis.

        All results included from the various studies support the hypothesis that is mentioned in the introduction of the article, i.e. “to consider whether the study of children’s language serves to illuminate our understanding of the nature of the development of children’s ethnic prejudice”. As the article is not based on an original study, Nesdale has included only information that is relevant to the hypothesis, and which supports it.

        The discussion provided is extremely effective, and accurately summarises and explores the results which are included. It relates specifically to the hypothesis, and in addition to drawing a conclusions based on this hypothesis, Nesdale extensively discusses these conclusions, i.e. the various ages children develop certain racial prejudices and how these prejudices are influenced by their parents and peers. Nesdale also discusses the implications of these conclusions, which is helpful to anyone reading the study in an attempt to further their understanding of a child’s cognitive development in relation to racial prejudice and how the language of their peers and parents affects this.

        This article is extremely relevant and useful to a person who is studying teaching and learning processes, as it gives the reader a unique insight into the development of racial prejudice in children, and how children come to develop these stereotypes in their beliefs. The article also provides information that may become relevant to a teachers should an example of racial discrimination or prejudice ever arise in the classroom, as it helps give insight into the origins and rationale behind these stereotypes. The article also effectively demonstrates how powerful the spoken word is to a young child, and how much the language of the people who surround them, especially adults, influences children. Once a person is aware of this influence, they will be able to monitor their own language to a certain extent and try to actively prevent encouraging racial prejudice in the presence of children, so as to prevent these prejudices being formed in children. The article is extremely effective in making this point, and is useful not only to teachers, but to anyone who comes into regular contact with young children.