ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a domain-inclusive model for explaining the common phenomenon of perceiving discrimination. Specifically, it addresses the situational characteristics and individual differences that contribute to an individual child's perception of discrimination. Once children can cognitively understand and perceive discrimination, and the situation is relatively unambiguous, some individuals will simply perceive more discrimination than others. Children's perceptions of discrimination appear to be influenced by who the target of the discrimination is. Children's perceptions of discrimination also appear to be influenced by characteristics of the perpetrator of the potential discrimination. Specifically, children's perceptions of discrimination will be affected by their own sensitivity to the situational cues related to discrimination. This sensitivity to discrimination is influenced by their social group membership, intergroup attitudes, group identity, and sensitivity to stigmatization. The development of a group identity is an important developmental milestone for youth and is an important component of adolescents' developing self-concept. Children's own social group membership influences their perceptions of discrimination.
