Meta-stereotype as an indicator of intergroup attitude: How Japanese perceive they are viewed by Koreans: Short Report

Abstract

Meta-stereotype refers to individuals' predictions about how their group is viewed by an outgroup rather than their own impressions about the outgroup (i.e. other-stereotype). We posited that, because of their inferential nature, meta-stereotypes can be affected by evaluational aspects, and that being liked or disliked can evoke reciprocal feelings toward the outgroup. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether meta-stereotypes are predictive of implicitly measured attitudes toward an outgroup by focusing on the Japanese meta-stereotype of Koreans. Japanese participants answered questions about their meta- and other-stereotype of Koreans and completed the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess their attitudes toward Koreans relative to their ingroup. The results indicated that meta-stereotypes, particularly those for negative items, were related to the IAT-assessed relative attitudes toward the outgroup, whereas other-stereotypes were not. The indicative aspects of meta-stereotypes with respect to attitudes toward outgroups are discussed. © Japanese Psychological Association 2009.