Occupational Differences and Attribution of Trait Adjectives to Ethnic Groups

Abstract

The present study was designed to determine the influence of role, status and ethnic cues on stereotyping. 24 ethnic-occupation combinations were formed by completely crossing four ethnic groups (French Canadian, English Canadian, Indian, and Oriental) and six occupations, selected to represent high, middle and low status positions. Subjects rated one of the combinations on 56 trait adjectives. The ratings were factor analyzed, and four factors, success, negativism, submissiveness, and emotionality, were extracted. Factor scores were calculated and entered into four ethnic group × occupation analyses. Significant main effects on three factors and a significant interaction on the submissiveness dimension were noted. Subsequent analysis showed that the stereotype of the ingroup, English Canadians, reflected differences in occupation, but the stereotypes of the outgroups, French Canadians and Indians, were not so influenced. These results are inconsistent with the hypothesis that ingroup stereotyping is based upon role and status cues whereas outgroup stereotyping is determined by ethnic cues. The results are consistent with the notion that role, status and ethnic cues influence trait-attribution to ethnic groups.