‘Schaam jij je niet?’ De ontwikkeling van de brede identiteit in de midden kindertijd

Abstract

This study focused on the development of extended identity in middle childhood involving Dutch children aged 6, 7, and 8/9 years. The children where individually interviewed about a hypothetical situation. Three components of the extended identity were measured. We investigated age and gender differences in the development of extended identity. It was expected that the older children showed a more developed extended identity than the younger children and that girls showed more marks of extended identity than boys. In the first part of the study, children were presented with a hypothetical scenario in which they imagined other classmates made a mistake during a class act in public. The results showed age differences on two of the six considered questions: older children showed a more developed extended identity. No gender differences were found. In the second part, the hypothetical situation concerned a small group. The child had to make a task with two other children, of whom one child made a mistake which resulted in a negative outcome. Age differences were found, but they contradicted each other. No gender differences were found.