The effect of ingroup-outgroup comparison context on black sheep effect: An analysis from a social identity perspective

Abstract

Based on social identity theory (Tajfel, 1978), it is expected that black sheep effect occurs only in cases where ingroup members are compared with outgroup individuals. In study 1, 112 female student nurses were divided into two groups, and evaluated both outgroup and ingroup individuals (outgroup-ingroup condition), or ingroup members only (ingroup-only condition). Black sheep effect was found only in the outgroup-ingroup condition. Ingroup members in the condition were evaluated more extremely than those in the ingroup-only condition, and there was no significant difference between the evaluations of outgroup individuals in the outgroup-ingroup condition and ingroup members in the ingroup-only condition. The results confirmed the ingroup-outgroup comparison prediction. In study 2, in addition to rating four individuals, desirable or undesirable and ingroup or outgroup, 86 female student nurses were asked to indicate the importance of their own social identity. Black sheep effect was observed, with perception of ingroup homogeneity strengthening ingroup identification, thereby facilitating black sheep effect. These findings support Turner's self categorization theory (1982) as an explanation of the mechanism for black sheep effect.