摘要:This study searches for the presence of an essentialist theory as a basis for social categorization of poverty, in a purposive sample of twelve children between 4 and 7 years old, from high and low socioeconomic levels in the city of Barranquilla. We present the results of the exploratory stage of research, which used qualitative techniques. The analysis of the emerging categories of children’s responses, suggests that the social category of poverty is well established, but it has no essentialist ideas underlying. Piaget’s theory better explains the findings.