Crossed categorization beyond the two-group model.
Four studies examined processing of in-group and out-group information with stimuli that are more complex than those used in previous crossed categorization studies. A diverse set of predictions is generated by previous theoretical work to account for how participants will integrate information stemming from multiple group memberships. Heuristic, threshold-based processing of information was supported over algebraic processing. Participants appeared to divide stimuli into "in-grouplike" and "out-grouplike" metacategories. However, the threshold at which this distinction was made, and whether it was based on in-group favoritism or out-group derogation, was influenced by the nature of the situation and the task participants performed. Advantages of crossed categorization research that moves beyond the traditional two-group model are discussed.
Urada
Darren
D
Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-1061, USA. durada@ucla.edu
Stenstrom
Douglas M
DM
Miller
Norman
N
D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011593:Psychology, Social / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*