The context of intergroup belief cross wherein minority members maintain consistency: Belief minority and majority in a categorical in-group and out-group

Abstract

The present study investigated the social conditions required for minority members to preserve their attitudinal and behavioral consistency in an intergroup context. In the experiment, intergroup belief crosses wherein a belief minority (or majority) in a categorical in-group was reversed as a majority (or minority) in an out-group were manipulated. It was hypothesized that individuals supported by the majority in the categorical in-group would preserve their attitudes and behavioral intentions even though they were a minority in the categorical out-group. The results supported the hypothesis. Specifically, members of a majority in the categorical in-group had more consistent behavioral intentions and less attitude changes although they were located as a minority in the out-group. In contrast, members of a minority within the in-group preserved consistency on the basis of support from the majority in the out-group. The theoretical implications of these results are discussed with reference to future research. © 2006 Japanese Psychological Association. Published by Blackwell Publishers Ltd.