Intergroup perception as a compromise between in-group bias and fair-mindedness.
Previously, perceived competence of and attraction toward targets categorized by race showed in-group bias and no bias, respectively. Consequently, previous investigators regarded intergroup perception as a compromise between the norms of in-group bias and fair-mindedness. An alternative hypothesis for such findings is that attraction is not as relevant a dimension for intergroup discrimination as is competence. To test contrasting predictions of these hypotheses, the present authors asked participants from the majority and minority groups in Singapore (ns = 320) to evaluate either competence of or attraction toward one of the five targets. Consistent with the hypothesis that intergroup perception is a compromise, both dimensions yielded a uniform but weak in-group bias. The participants' equating of the in-group with one out-group further illustrated fair-mindedness. The authors discussed implications of the findings.
Singh
Ramadhar
R
Department of Social Work and Psychology, National University of Singapore, Republic of Singapore. swksingh@nus.edu.sg
Sharmini
Choo
Ivy
I
D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006608:Hierarchy, Social; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D011287:Prejudice; D011593:Psychology, Social; D011594:Psychometrics; D012846:Singapore; D012928:Social Desirability; D012933:Social Identification; D012938:Social Perception; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology