Effects of sociostructural and psychological factors on five types of intergroup bias expressed by minority group members toward majority and minority outgroup members

Jay W Jackson, Purdue University

Abstract

A modified minimal group paradigm was used to examine the effects of two sociostructural variables (group status and group size) and three psychological factors (group identification, interpersonal attraction to ingroup members, and adherence to the reciprocity norm) on five types of intergroup bias (evaluations, allocation of positives, taking away of positives, allocation of negatives, and taking away of negatives) expressed by minority ingroup members toward majority and minority outgroup members. The effects of the sociostructural variables on the psychological factors and a variety of intergroup perceptions were also assessed. A three group situation was concocted in which a majority outgroup was always of highest status and largest size. Subjects (N = 751) belonged to one of two minority groups. The status and size of the minority ingroup relative to the minority outgroup was manipulated, and subjects made decisions affecting a member of each group. The experimental design was a 3 (group status: higher, equal, lower) x 3 (group size: larger, equal, smaller) x 3 (group membership of target: ingroup, majority outgroup, or minority outgroup). Results showed that significant intergroup discrimination was expressed for each bias type. Generally, higher group status and smaller group size led to greater expressions of bias, although these effects varied across the different bias types. Adherence to the reciprocity norm was a good predictor of all types of ingroup bias, especially against the majority outgroup. On the other hand, group identification and interpersonal attraction to ingroup members were poor predictors of ingroup bias. The implications of these findings for theories of intergroup relations, and future research efforts are discussed.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Kelly, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Social psychology|Minority & ethnic groups|Sociology

COinS