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Being similar versus being equal: Intergroup similarity moderates the influence of in‐group norms on discrimination and prejudice
Author(s) -
Gabarrot Fabrice,
FalomirPichastor Juan M.,
Mugny Gabriel
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1348/014466608x342943
Subject(s) - psychology , prejudice (legal term) , optimal distinctiveness theory , similarity (geometry) , social psychology , norm (philosophy) , in group favoritism , social discrimination , ingroups and outgroups , social identity theory , social group , social issues , artificial intelligence , computer science , political science , economics , law , image (mathematics) , economic growth
In two studies, we examined the influence of in‐group norms of anti‐ and pro‐discrimination on prejudice and discrimination as a function of intergroup similarity (Studies 1 and 2) and in‐group identification (Study 2). In a condition where there was no information about intergroup similarity (Study 1) or intergroup similarity was low (Study 2), prejudice and discrimination were lower when norms prescribe anti‐discrimination compared to pro‐discrimination. In contrast, when intergroup similarity was high, prejudice and discrimination were higher when the in‐group norm represents anti‐discrimination compared to pro‐discrimination. This pattern was most apparent among highly identified in‐group members (Study 2). The paradoxical effect of the anti‐discrimination norm in the high similarity condition is interpreted as a response to the threat this situation introduces to in‐group distinctiveness.