title: The David and Goliath principle: cultural, ideological, and attitudinal underpinnings of the normative protection of low-status groups from criticism.
abstract: Two studies documented the "David and Goliath" rule--the tendency for people to perceive criticism of "David" groups (groups with low power and status) as less normatively permissible than criticism of "Goliath" groups (groups with high power and status). The authors confirmed the existence of the David and Goliath rule across Western and Chinese cultures (Study 1). However, the rule was endorsed more strongly in Western than in Chinese cultures, an effect mediated by cultural differences in power distance. Study 2 identified the psychological underpinnings of this rule in an Australian sample. Lower social dominance orientation (SDO) was associated with greater endorsement of the rule, an effect mediated through the differential attribution of stereotypes. Specifically, those low in SDO were more likely to attribute traits of warmth and incompetence to David versus Goliath groups, a pattern of stereotypes that was related to the protection of David groups from criticism.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. carla.jeffries@usq.edu.au
authors.forename: Carla H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jeffries
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hornsey
authors.forename: Robbie M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.forename: Karen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Douglas
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Bain
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D001315:Australia; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D003469:Culture; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012923:Social Class; D012930:Social Dominance; D012938:Social Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult