Abstract
An experiment with 213 participants provided evidence for in-group projection—the generalization of distinctive in-group attributes to a superordinate category. The frame of reference for in-group (German) judgments was manipulated by presenting either Italians or the British as an out-group. Results showed that attributes on which Germans differed from each out-group were accentuated not only in in-group judgments but also when judging Europeans. By adapting features of the superordinate category to those of the in-group, the in-group's similarity to, and the out-group's deviation from, the prototype of the superordinate category were maintained, if not emphasized. Further, higher in-group prototypicality—compared to out-group prototypicality—for the superordinate category was related to negative out-group attitudes. In-group projection was reduced when a complex representation of the superordinate category was primed.
Highlights
Real-life examples and empirical findings show that, group members often devalue and disadvantage other groups that seem different from their own
Our Experiment Our experiment aims to show more directly that group members often generalize in-group attributes onto the superordinate category
The indirect effect of complexity on attitudes toward the out-group was calculated by combining the regression weight of complexity on relative prototypicality (B = - 0.82, SE = 0.43) and of relative prototypicality on attitudes towards the out-group (B = - 0.13, SE = 0.03, p < .001). This indirect effect was significant (B = 0.11, SE = 0.06, p = .045, one-tailed), indicating a mediation by relative in-group prototypicality (Hypothesis 4). This experiment provides evidence for in-group projection -- the generalization of distinctive in-group attributes onto a superordinate category
Summary
Real-life examples and empirical findings show that, group members often devalue and disadvantage other groups that seem different from their own. Such social discrimination does not always occur. In-group projection, according to Mummendey and Wenzel, is the tendency of group members to generalize distinctive attributes of their in-group to the superordinate category. Social projection operates at the interpersonal level and involves generalizing personal qualities to other individuals, often members of the in-group. In-group projection operates at the intergroup level and involves the relationship between self-categories at different levels of inclusiveness. Just like social projection, probably reflects several motivational and cognitive processes (Krueger, 2000; Marks & Miller, 1987)
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