Helping to improve the group stereotype: on the strategic dimension of prosocial behavior.
Three studies consider a basis for intergroup helping. Specifically, they show that group members may help others to disconfirm a stereotype of their own group as mean. Study 1 shows that Scots believe they are seen as mean by the English, resent this stereotype, are motivated to refute it, and believe out-group helping is a particularly effective way of doing so. Study 2 shows that increasing the salience of the English stereotype of the Scottish as mean leads Scots to accentuate the extent to which Scots are depicted as generous. Study 3 shows that increasing the salience of the stereotype of the Scots as mean results in an increase in the help volunteered to out-group members. These results highlight how strategic concerns may result in out-group helping. In turn, they underscore the point that helping others may be a means to advance a group's interest.
Hopkins
Nick
N
University of Dundee, Scotland.
Reicher
Steve
S
Harrison
Kate
K
Cassidy
Clare
C
Bull
Rebecca
R
Levine
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012919:Social Behavior; D012933:Social Identification; D013240:Stereotyping