title: Role of competition-induced anxiety in limiting the beneficial impact of positive behavior by an out-group member.
abstract: Several variables influence whether contact with a favorable out-group member has a beneficial impact on intergroup relations. In two experiments we examined the effect of competition-induced anxiety on reaction to the behavior of a favorable out-group member. In Experiment 1 a competitive context produced (a) anxiety, relative to a cooperative context, and (b) assimilation of a favorable out-group member to the unfavorable majority. Experiment 2 replicated this finding and showed that when anxiety was reduced, those who expected to compete with the out-group formed a more favorable and veridical impression of the positive out-group member. Taken together, results support the hypothesis that the expectation of an unpleasant competitive encounter with an out-group generates anxiety that, in turn, lessens the impact of positive behavior by an out-group member. Implications of this research for intergroup relations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wilder
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception