Effects of intragroup and intergroup status on ingroup and outgroup evaluations: Focusing on the moderating effects of intergroup relationships

Abstract

This study sought for reasons why conflicts increase in intergroup situations with status difference. In particular, we focused on intergroup bias, inquiring into how relative intergroup status, intergroup relationships, and intragroup status affect the evaluation of ingroup and outgoup members. University students (N=120) participated in an experiment in which intergroup and intragroup status were manipulated. Results indicated that the abilities of outgroup members were evaluated lower by low intragroup status members than high, in the high status group. Conversely, in the low status group, high intragroup status members gave lower evaluations than low. Moreover, this interaction was seen only by those who perceived the intergroup relationship as being competitive. These results suggest that people use outgroup derogation when they face a dilemma in intra- and intergroup comparison owing to both intra- and intergroup status differences.View full abstract