Being similar versus being equal: Intergroup similarity moderates the influence of in-group norms on discrimination and prejudice

摘要

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 I and 2) and in-group identification (Study 2). In a condition where there wasno information about intergroup similarity (Study I) 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 similaritywas high, prejudice and discrimination were higher when the in-group norm representsanti-discrimination compared to pro-discrimination. This pattern was most apparentamong 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 thethreat this situation introduces to in-group distinctiveness.