Group evaluations as self-group distancing: Ingroup typicality moderates evaluative intergroup bias in stigmatized groups

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Authors

Outgroup favoritism among members of stigmatized groups can be seen as a form of self-group distancing. We examined how intergroup evaluations in stigmatized groups vary as a function of ingroup typicality. In Studies 1 and 2, Black participants (N = 125,915; N = 766) more strongly preferred light-skinned or White relative to dark-skinned or Black individuals the lighter their own skin tone. In Study 3, overweight participants (N = 147,540) more strongly preferred normal-weight relative to overweight individuals the lower their own body weight. In Study 4, participants with disabilities (N = 35,058) more strongly preferred non-disabled relative to disabled individuals the less visible they judged their own disability. Relationships between ingroup typicality and intergroup evaluations were at least partially mediated by ingroup identification (Studies 2 and 3). A meta-analysis across studies yielded an average effect size of r = .12. Furthermore, higher ingroup typicality was related to both ingroup and outgroup evaluations. We discuss ingroup typicality as an individual constraint to self-group distancing among stigmatized group members and its relation to intergroup evaluations.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Journal of Social Psychology
Volume50
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)1108-1124
Number of pages17
ISSN0046-2772
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10.2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. European Journal of Social Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd

    Research areas

  • ingroup favoritism, ingroup typicality, intergroup evaluations, self-group distancing, social identity, stigmatized groups
  • Psychology

DOI