Role of competition-induced anxiety in limiting the beneficial impact of positive behavior by an out-group member.
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.
Wilder
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DA
Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903.
Shapiro
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PN
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