Diversity in in-group bias: structural factors, situational features, and social functions.
Four experiments addressed the different forms and functions of in-group bias in different contexts. The authors proposed 2 functions: an identity-expressive function and an instrumental function (or promotion of positive social change). The authors manipulated status differentials, the stability of these differences, and the communication context (intra- vs. intergroup) and measured in-group bias and both functions. As predicted, identity expression via in-group bias on symbolic measures was most important for stable, high-status groups. By contrast, material in-group bias for instrumental motives was most prevalent in unstable, low-status groups but only when communicating with in-group members. This latter effect illustrates the strategic adaptation of group behavior to audience (i.e., displaying in-group bias may provoke the out-group and be counterproductive in instrumental terms). Stable, low-status groups displayed more extreme forms of in-group bias for instrumental reasons regardless of communication context (i.e., they had nothing to lose). Results are discussed in terms of a contextual-functional approach to in-group bias.
Scheepers
Daan
D
Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. scheepersdt@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Spears
Russell
R
Doosje
Bertjan
B
Manstead
Antony S R
AS
D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009426:Netherlands; D011287:Prejudice; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012933:Social Identification