Less Biased Under Threat? Self-Verificatory Reactions to Social Identity Threat Among Groups With Negative Self-Stereotypes

• Published in: Journal of applied social psychology Vol. 41; no. 9; pp. 2249 - 2267
• Main Authors: BILEWICZ, MICHAL, KOFTA, MIROSLAW
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.09.2011; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Social identity; Stereotypes; Theory; Threats
• ISSN: 0021-9029; 1559-1816
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00802.x

According to social identity theory, when group status is threatened, highly committed group members respond with greater in-group favoritism. However, some of the groups build their identities on negative self-stereotypes. For such groups, status-threatening information should lead their members to confirmation of the group's negative self-image. Study 1 examined the effects of group-directed threat in a group with a long tradition of negative self-perception. The manipulation led participants to higher ratings of the out-group, and reduced adherence to in-group-defending ideologies. Study 2 provided further support to our predictions: Participants holding negative self-stereotypes reacted to group-image threats with more positive feelings about out-groups. Findings are discussed within the theoretical framework of social identity theory and self-verification theory. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]