Education Commons^™

Using Empathy As A Tool To Reduce Prejudice, Traci Lloyd

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Children are not born with prejudices. However, they are born with a natural inclination to categorize people and situations (Byrnes, 1988). As early as two years of age, children may begin asking questions concerning the differences and similarities they observe in the people around them (Derman-Sparks, 1993). Children may develop negative beliefs about these differences from a variety of sources. Parents and extended family may, through their words and actions, play a major role in the attitudes children develop about differences. Teachers, peers, television, books and movies also make large contributions (Byrnes, 1988; Derman-Sparks, 1993).