Development of new group members' in-group and out-group stereotypes: changes in perceived group variability and ethnocentrism.
Changes in new members' in-group and out-group stereotypes were examined, distinguishing among three stereotype components: stereotypicality, dispersion, and ethnocentrism. Pledges in 4 sororities judged their in-group and out-groups 4 times during their 8-month induction. Overall, out-groups were judged more stereotypically than in-groups at every wave. Although out-groups were initially perceived as more dispersed than in-groups, decreased out-group dispersion resulted in a shift toward out-group homogeneity. Ethnocentrism was present at every wave but decreased because of decreased in-group positivity. The authors discuss implications of these results for existing explanations of stereotype development. It is suggested that other aspects of group socialization (R.L. Moreland & J.M. Levine, 1982) are needed to explain fully the development of intergroup perceptions for new group members.
Ryan
C S
CS
Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, USA. cryan@vms.cis.pitt.edu
Bogart
L M
LM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010379:Peer Group; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012649:Self Concept; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping