Stereotyping: The Role of Ingroup-Outgroup Differences in Causal Attribution for Behavior

Abstract

Summary A study was designed to test the idea that ingroup-outgroup differences in attributional processes play an important part in the origin of stereo-types. Specifically, it was hypothesized that ingroup members would make more dispositional attributions to positive behaviors and fewer dispositional attributions to negative behaviors than outgroup members would. A questionnaire including items on attributions to positive and negative behavior and interethnic attitudes was given to a triethnic sample of 750 fifth and sixth grade students. The hypothesis was well supported for the evaluation of the Chicanos' behavior, partially supported for the evaluation of Anglos' behavior, and unsupported for the evaluation of Blacks' behavior. Other results indicating that all three groups attribute positive behavior to the actor and negative behavior to the situation and that Anglos make more dispositional attributions than the other groups were also discussed.