Category Boundaries Can Be Accentuated Without Increasing Intergroup Bias
- 1 March 2009
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Group Processes & Intergroup Relations
- Vol. 12 (2), 175-193
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430208101055
Abstract
Two studies tested whether the boundaries separating groups could be strengthened without increasing intergroup bias. Using a modified minimal group paradigm, the salience of the group distinction was manipulated through instructions that either called attention to the division between the two groups (high salience), or to dimensions orthogonal to group boundaries (low salience). High salience increased both perceived differences between the groups and perceived similarities within the groups. Moreover, participants demonstrated classic intergroup bias, expressing a preference for the ingroup over the outgroup. Critically, however, the magnitude of intergroup bias was not greater in the high salience condition. Study 2 replicated these effects using real groups with a preexisting stereotype. The results suggest that models of prejudice reduction need not rely on minimization of perceived group boundaries in order to be effective.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- Social Identity and Negotiation: Subgroup Representation and Superordinate ConsensusPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 2002
- Similarity as a source of differentiation: the role of group identificationEuropean Journal of Social Psychology, 2001
- Assimilation and Diversity: An Integrative Model of Subgroup RelationsPersonality and Social Psychology Review, 2000
- Framing interethnic ideology: Effects of multicultural and color-blind perspectives on judgments of groups and individuals.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2000
- Intergroup bias: Status, differentiation, and a common in-group identity.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1998
- The Social Self: On Being the Same and Different at the Same TimePersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1991
- Some perceptual determinants of perceived similarity, liking, and correctness.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1976
- Consequences of prejudice against the null hypothesis.Psychological Bulletin, 1975
- The categorisation process in intergroup relationsEuropean Journal of Social Psychology, 1973
- Interpersonal attraction and attitude similarity.The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1961