REASONING ABOUT INTERGROUP RELATIONS AMONG HISPANIC AND EURO-AMERICANADOLESCENTS

One hundred and twenty Hispanic and Euro-American (Angle) 5th, 8th, an d 11th graders were individually interviewed to determine their judgme nts and reasoning in response to a dilemma in which a student from one ethnic group (Hispanic or Anglo) wished to join an exclusive club of the other ethnic group. Three-quarters of the participants made judgme nts to include the student, but a small number judged to exclude or sw itched judgments from include to exclude. Reasons used to support incl usion focused on individual welfare, social principles, and fairness. Reasons supporting exclusion stressed rules, the right to choose one's friends, and cultural barriers. Ethnicity grade, and gender were unre lated to judgments but were related to types of reasons given. Angle s tudents referred more to rights and rules, and Hispanics to cultural b arriers. Older participants more often cited social principles.