Group-directed criticisms and recommendations for change: why newcomers arouse more resistance than old-timers.
Three experiments examine the extent to which newcomers are able to influence their groups relative to old-timers. Specifically, how group members respond to criticisms of their group was assessed as a function of the intragroup position of the speaker. When criticizing their workplace (Experiment 1; N = 116), their profession (Experiment 2; N = 106), or an Internet community (Experiment 3; N = 189), newcomers aroused more resistance than old-timers, an effect that was mediated by perceptions of how attached critics were to their group identity. Experiment 3 also showed that newcomers could reduce resistance to their criticisms by distancing themselves from a group of which they were previously members. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Hornsey
Matthew J
MJ
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia. m.hornsey@psy.uq.edu.au
Grice
Tim
T
Jetten
Jolanda
J
Paulsen
Neil
N
Callan
Victor
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011793:Queensland; D012933:Social Identification; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires