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Participatory arts interventions promote interpersonal and intergroup prosocial intentions in middle childhood

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: We report the results of two experiments which test the potential of arts engagement for promoting prosocial intentions. Experiment 1 ( N = 216) tested the impact of a participatory arts intervention (vs. a control condition) on children's empathy and interpersonal prosocial intentions. Experiment 2 ( N = 174) tested the impact of a participatory arts intervention (vs. a control condition) on children's prosocial intentions toward outgroup members under competitive and non-competitive conditions. Experiment 1 showed that the participatory arts intervention significantly increased children's interpersonal prosocial intentions, but not their empathy. Experiment 2 showed that, under competitive conditions, the participatory arts intervention significantly increased prosocial intentions toward outgroup members, an effect that persisted for six months beyond the intervention. Under non-competitive conditions, the participatory arts intervention consolidated improvements in prosocial intentions toward outgroup members. Overall, the results confirm the hypothesis that participatory arts engagement can promote prosocial intentions during middle childhood.

Source: Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology

DOI: 10.1016/j.appdev.2019.101069

Authors: Julie Van de Vyver, Dominic Abrams, Lauren Spinner, Joseph Pelletier, Shazza Y. Ali, Ioanna Kapantai

Institutions: Durham University, University of Kent, The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Houston Christian University

Language: English

Topic: Art Education and Development

Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,800