Big fish in small ponds: a social hierarchy analysis of intergroup bias.
High- and low-self-esteem group members received feedback about their individual performance as well as that of their own group and an out-group. They then evaluated both groups. Yoked-control observer individuals also provided group evaluations. In the in-group success/out-group failure condition, in-group enhancement tendencies were attenuated by individual failure feedback and augmented by individual success feedback. Low-self-esteem group members who received individual failure feedback showed favoritism toward the unsuccessful out-group over their own successful in-group. In the in-group failure/out-group success condition, in-group enhancement tendencies were attenuated by individual success feedback and augmented by individual failure feedback. Thus individuals' position in a social hierarchy mediates upward and downward social mobility strategies.
Seta
J J
JJ
Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina, Greensboro 27412, USA.
Seta
C E
CE
D000124:Achievement; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D011287:Prejudice; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D012933:Social Identification; D012937:Social Mobility