When similarity breeds content: need for closure and the allure of homogeneous and self-resembling groups.
Four studies explored the relation between members' need for cognitive closure and their feelings toward groups. It was found that high (vs. low) need for closure individuals liked in-groups and out-groups more as function of the degree to which their membership was perceived as homogeneous (Studies 1-4), provided it was also self-similar (Studies 3 and 4). These results are discussed in terms of the relation between need for closure and homogeneous (vs. heterogeneous) groups' apparent potential as "closure providers."
Kruglanski
Arie W
AW
Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, USA. arie@psyc.umd.edu
Shah
James Y
JY
Pierro
Antonio
A
Mannetti
Lucia
L
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception; D013240:Stereotyping; D014481:United States