Previous research into English children's conceptions of national groups, both their own ingroup and outgroups, has revealed developmental trends. With respect to variability, childrenÕs descriptions of both the national ingroup and national outgroups become increasingly diverse with age (Barrett, Wilson & Lyons, 1999). With respect to affect, while English children's representations of their own national group become marginally less positive with age (Barrett, Wilson & Lyons, 1999), their descriptions of national outgroups become significantly more positive with age (Barrett & Short, 1992; Buchanan-Barrow, Bayraktar, Papadopoulou, Short, Lyons & Barrett, 1999; Barrett, Wilson & Lyons, 1999).

This study investigated the representations held by English children, aged 6 years, 9 years, 12 years and 15 years-old, about their own national group and about Italians, French, Spanish and Germans. The childrenÕs responses were examined for developmental trends in the perceived variability of national groups, in the evaluative and affective assessments of the groups and in the stereotypical representations reported by the children. The findings revealed significant differences associated with both age and national group and are discussed with reference to theories of childrenÕs identity development.