Group Processes & Intergroup Relations

Morality, exclusion, and culture

by Alaina Brenick

Killen, M. & Brenick, A. (2011). Morality, exclusion, and culture. In X. Chen & K. R. Rubin (Eds.), Socioemotional Development in Cultural Contexts. New York: Guilford Publications.

When does goal discrepancy induce compensational effort? An application of self-completion theory to social issues

by Kai Sassenberg

Matschke, C., Fehr, J., & Sassenberg, K. (in press). When does goal discrepancy induce compensational effort? An application of self-completion theory to social issues. Social and Personality Psychology Compass.

The authors review research that applies self-completion theory to goals targeting other people (as in the case of... more The authors review research that applies self-completion theory to goals targeting other people (as in the case of stereotyping and prejudice), goals that aim at the achievement of a certain social identity and goals based on the social identity. It is demonstrated that goal discrepancies lead to compensation for social as well as for non-social goals. Based on self-completion theory it is proposed that the identity-relevance of the respective goal as well as the goal relevance of the subsequent task are of major importance considering the individuals’ compensation. The authors argue that the consideration of these factors advance our understanding of social phenomena.

The impact of identification on adherence to group norms in team sports: Who Is going the extra mile?

by Kai Sassenberg

Täuber, S., & Sassenberg, K. (in press). The impact of identification on adherence to group norms in team sports: Who Is going the extra mile?. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice. doi: 10.1037/a0028377

The present research investigates the applicability of the Normative Conflict Model of Dissent (NCMD; Packer, 2008) in... more The present research investigates the applicability of the Normative Conflict Model of Dissent (NCMD; Packer, 2008) in the context of team sports. The core assumption of the NCDM is that strongly identified group members adhere to group norms less (i.e., deviate more) when these norms are potentially harmful for the team. We accompanied a football team over the course of a season (22 time points) and assessed players’ (n =11) identification with their team, adherence as the overlap between individual and team goals, and disengagement as willingness to leave the team. Results showed that weakly identified players adhered to, but strongly identified players deviated from, unambitious—thus potentially harmful—team goals. Moreover, deviance elicited disengagement among weakly but not among strongly identified players. Our findings demonstrate the relevance of the NCMD in sports teams. Implications are discussed with respect to the beneficial aspects of deviance for teams.

Does Lower Mobility Help Maintain/Stabilize Group-Hierarchy? Link Between Mobility & Hierarchy-Related Beliefs

by Laysee Ong

Co-authored with Angela Leung. Poster for 24th APS Annual Convention, 2012.

Question: Does mobility influence individual’s hierarchy-related beliefs?

Empirical Test: Two self-report... more Question: Does mobility influence individual’s hierarchy-related beliefs?

Empirical Test: Two self-report studies were conducted. 

Findings: The answer is YES.  Individuals with higher (vs. lower) mobility are less likely to endorse hierarchy, less collectivistic and more egalitarian.  It is the mobility of the self (vs. general environment) that plays a stronger role.

The Microfoundations of Community: Small Groups As Bridges and Barriers to Participatory Democracy

by Gazi Islam

Tajfel and laboratory experimentation

by Susan Condor

It is the relationship between method and critical meta-theory that represents the topic of this chapter. More... more It is the relationship between method and critical meta-theory that represents the topic of this chapter. More particularly, I shall be exploring the fate of the “sociopsychological” approach to laboratory experimentation originally advocated by Tajfel in The Context of Social Psychology. In his chapter (“Experiments in a vacuum”) Tajfel presented a bold manifesto. Rather than blaming laboratory experimentation for the reductionist and reifying tendencies of mainstream social psychology, we should instead consider the affordances of laboratory research for studying “sociopsychological” processes. I shall then go on to consider the eventual fate of this idea, assessing its actual impact on subsequent research practice, and questioning whether the continued reliance on laboratory experimentation did, in fact, end up supporting Tajfel’s metatheoretical project.

The “chilling effect” of metastereotyping on employability beliefs and job-seeking resilience among members of disadvantaged groups

by Chuma Owuamalam

Co-authored with Hanna Zagefka. I am first author.

This work was recently honored with an International Travel Award by the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) to present its findings at the Society's 9th Biennial Convention in Charlotte NC (June, 2012). The selection committee for this award described the work as an "exceptional" contribution to the understanding of the psychology of disadvantaged group membership.

This research examined the hypothesis that negative metastereotypes would undermine employability beliefs and... more This research examined the hypothesis that negative metastereotypes would undermine employability beliefs and job-seeking resilience of members of disadvantaged groups and that this effect would be mediated by subsequent self-views following the activation of such stereotypes. Taken jointly, results from one correlational study and two experiments supported this hypothesis. This mediated effect was visible amongst those whose prior self-esteem was high but not those whose prior self-esteem was low (Studies 1 and 2). Study 3 further showed that the differential effects of metastereotyping on employability beliefs among those with prior high and low self-esteem was structured further by members’ level of identification: Employability beliefs of those whose prior self-esteem was high was undermined by metastereotyping only if they were strongly (but not weakly) identified with the ingroup. For members who are low in self-esteem the undermining effect of metastereotypes was only evident amongs weak (but not strong) identifiers. In addition, there was a serial indirect negative effect of metastereotyping on members’ resilience at job-seeking (imagined job application scenario) via state self-esteem and employability beliefs. The discussion focuses on the implications of the findings for socio-economic mobility of members of disadvantaged groups.

Outgroup judgments when reciprocity and social image improvement motives collide

by Chuma Owuamalam

Co-authored with Mark Tarrant, Claire Farrow and Hanna Zagefka (invited revision Canadian Journal of Behavioural Sciences). I am first author.

Two experiments examined the effect of metastereotype valence on high and low identifiers’ judgments of an outgroup.... more Two experiments examined the effect of metastereotype valence on high and low identifiers’ judgments of an outgroup. Because high identifiers are strongly emotionally invested in the ingroup, we expected that such group members would feel angry when they activate negative metastereotypes which would correspondingly lead to less favorable evaluation of the outgroup. We further expected this pattern to be particularly visible when high identifiers could communicate their dissatisfaction to an outgroup (but not an ingroup) audience presumably to persuade the outgroup to re-evaluate their attitudes towards the ingroup. We did not expect low identifiers to reflect the valence of metastereotypes in their outgroup attitudes and judgments given their weak emotional ties with the ingroup and because such members are likely to feel that metastereotype do not apply to them personally. Results from two studies (Study 1, N = 78; Study 2, N = 80) supported these predictions and are discussed in light of the implications of metastereotyping for intergroup relations.

Does contact reduce prejudice or does prejudice reduce contact? A longitudinal test of the contact hypothesis among majority and minority groups in three european countries

by Jens Binder

Co-authored with Hanna Zagefka, Rupert Brown, Friedrich Funke, Thomas Kessler, Amelie Mummendey, Annemie Maquil, Stephanie Demoulin, Jacques-Philippe Leyens. Published in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

A widely researched panacea for reducing intergroup prejudice is the contact hypothesis. However, few longitudinal... more A widely researched panacea for reducing intergroup prejudice is the contact hypothesis. However, few longitudinal studies can shed light on the direction of causal processes: from contact to prejudice reduction (contact effects) or from prejudice to contact reduction (prejudice effects). The authors conducted a longitudinal field survey in Germany, Belgium, and England with school students. The sample comprised members of both ethnic minorities (n
512) and ethnic majorities (n
1,143). Path analyses yielded both lagged contact effects and prejudice effects: Contact reduced prejudice, but prejudice also reduced contact. Furthermore, contact effects were negligible for minority members. These effects were obtained for 2 indicators of prejudice: negative intergroup emotions and desire for social
distance. For both majority and minority members, contact effects on negative emotions were stronger when outgroup contacts were perceived as being typical of their group. Contact effects were also mediated by intergroup anxiety. This mediating mechanism was impaired for minority members because of a weakened effect of anxiety on desire for social distance. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.

We all live in Germany but … Ingroup projection, group-based emotions and prejudice against immigrants

by Jens Binder

Co-authored with Thomas Kessler, Amelie Mummendey, Friedrich Funke, Rupert Brown, Hanna Zagefka, Jacques-Philippe Leyens, Stephanie Demoulin and Annemie Maquil. Published in European Journal of Social Psychology.

Immigration, cultural diversity and integration are among the most central challenges for modern societies.... more Immigration, cultural diversity and integration are among the most central challenges for modern societies. Integration is often impeded by negative emotions and prejudices held by the majority members towards immigrants in a common society. Based on the ingroup projection model (Mummendey & Wenzel, 1999), we examined the impact of perceived relative ingroup prototypicality on intergroup emotions and prejudice. Additionally, we examined whether this impact is causal and explored the issue of causality in more detail contrasting a linear causal model with bi-directional or reciprocal causality. Hypotheses were tested in a study with a two-wave panel of majority members (N=1085) in Germany. We examined the proposed relations between relative ingroup prototypicality, intergroup emotions and prejudice and determined the causal direction of these relationships. Results support the predictive power of relative ingroup prototypicality on intergroup emotions and prejudice. Moreover, most causal relations between our measures are reciprocally causal. We discuss the implications of these findings for the general conception of prejudice and intergroup emotions.

Social Emotions

by Penny Moore

Introductory chapter of my thesis

Times Higher Education article: 'How To: be a Karl not a Groucho in groups'

by Paul Kleiman

Times Higher Education

THE article on how groups work (or not) and strategies to create successful groups. THE article on how groups work (or not) and strategies to create successful groups.

Collective Regret versus Collective Guilt: Different Emotional Reactions to Historical Atrocities

by Roland Imhoff

co-authored with Michal Bilewicz and Jennes Erb; accepted for publication in European Journal of Social Psychology

A distinction between guilt and regret in reactions to ingroup atrocities is proposed. Four studies (total N = 1,249)... more A distinction between guilt and regret in reactions to ingroup atrocities is proposed. Four studies (total N = 1,249) support the notion that guilt and regret are distinct emotional reactions. Whereas guilt is a self-focussed, aversive emotional reaction following from appraisals of responsibility and associated with the intention to make amends, regret follows from an empathic victim perspective, is less aversive and more strongly associated with positive attitudes towards the victim groups and the intention to engage in intergroup contact. These findings suggest that less aversive emotions like regret are more likely to improve intergroup attitudes after a common history of conflict but the aversive experience of guilt might be more potent in motivating reparations.

Individual differences and intergroup bias: Divergent dynamics associated with prejudice and stereotyping

by Anna Newheiser

Newheiser & Dovidio, 2012, Personality and Individual Differences

Although the study of intergroup bias has attracted substantial empirical interest within personality and social... more Although the study of intergroup bias has attracted substantial empirical interest within personality and social psychology, distinctions among types of bias, primarily prejudice and stereotyping, are often not fully considered. However, stereotyping and prejudice are conceptually and empirically distinct phenomena. We investigated how individual-difference variables distinctively predict stereotyping and prejudice, and examined the differential antecedents, dynamics, and consequences of these forms of intergroup bias. Personal Need for Structure predicted stereotyping, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism and intergroup contact predicted prejudice. In addition, stereotyping and prejudice had divergent dynamics with perceptions of out-groups’ entitativity (i.e., out-groups’ perceived unity, coherence, and internal organization). Specifically, entitativity mediated the relationship between Personal Need for Structure and stereotyping. In contrast, prejudice mediated the relationships of both Right-Wing Authoritarianism and intergroup contact with entitativity. Implications for theory and research on the predictors and dynamics of intergroup bias are discussed.

Vilhauer, R.P. (2011). ‘Them’ and ‘us’: the experiences of women with metastatic disease in mixed-stage versus stage-specific breast cancer support groups. Psychology & Health, 26 (6): 781-797.

by Ruvanee Vilhauer

Contact vilhauerr@felician.edu for the manuscript

The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in mixed-stage... more The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in mixed-stage and stage-specific groups. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to examine 15 interviews from eight women with MBC. The interviewees felt that their experiences were very much different from those of women with primary breast cancer (BC), because of their different prognoses. In mixed-stage groups, the interviewees described feeling silenced, marginalised and helpless. They did not receive support in these groups because survivors of primary BC are often afraid to face the idea of metastasis. In stage-specific MBC groups, on the other hand, women were able to talk openly and were understood by others with whom they identified. They became more informed about issues related to their illness. Seeing others living well despite MBC made them feel more hopeful. Although there are some disadvantages of participating in stage-specific groups, the findings suggest that, overall, stage-specific groups are more helpful to women with MBC than mixed-stage groups. These findings have implications for the provision of group support for this population.

Bijleveld, E., Scheepers, D., & Ellemers, N. (in press). The cortisol response to anticipated intergroup interactions predicts self-reported prejudice. PLoS ONE.

by Erik Bijleveld

Objectives. While prejudice has often been shown to be rooted in experiences of threat, the biological underpinnings... more Objectives. While prejudice has often been shown to be rooted in experiences of threat, the biological underpinnings of this threat-prejudice association have received less research attention. The present experiment aims to test whether activations of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, due to anticipated interactions with outgroup members, predict self-reported prejudice. Moreover, we explore potential moderators of this relationship (i.e., interpersonal similarity; subtle vs. blatant prejudice).

Methodology/Principal findings. Participants anticipated an interaction with an out-group member who was similar or dissimilar to the self. To index HPA activation, cortisol responses to this event were measured. Then, subtle and blatant prejudice were measured via questionnaires. Findings indicated that only when people anticipated an interaction with an out group member who was dissimilar to the self, their cortisol response to this event significantly predicted subtle (r = .50) and blatant (r = .53) prejudice.

Conclusions. These findings indicate that prejudicial attitudes are linked to HPA-axis activity. Furthermore, when intergroup interactions are interpreted to be about individuals (and not so much about groups), experienced threat (or its biological substrate) is less likely to relate to prejudice.

Using group theory to catalyse productivity and creativity within a band scenario

by Jake Whiteley

Copyright: Jake Whiteley, 2011
Un-published

This essay serves as a case study into the group dynamics present within a typical band scenario. It attempts to... more This essay serves as a case study into the group dynamics present within a typical band scenario. It attempts to utilise various group theories through the action - reflection method and stimulate productivity and creativity within a small group.

Intergroup relations and health disparities: A social psychological perspective

by Wendy Berry Mendes

Knocking on the outgroup’s door: Seeking outgroup help under conditions of task or relational conflict.

by Kai Sassenberg

van Leeuwen, E., Täuber, S., & Sassenberg, K. (2011). Knocking on the outgroup’s door: Seeking outgroup help under conditions of task or relational conflict. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 33(3), 266-278.

The present research is the first to examine the impact of self-construal on newcomers’ motivation to conform with the... more The present research is the first to examine the impact of self-construal on newcomers’ motivation to conform with the goals of a novel group. We argue that when social identity i.e., individuals’ concern for a specific group) has not yet been developed, newcomers will rely on self-construal (i.e., individuals’ chronic concern for ingroups and connectedness with others in general) to derive norms for group-serving vs. self-serving behaviour. Results of an experiment (N = 172) supported this prediction: Self-construal moderated the relationship between group goals and individual goals (cognitive conformity) as well as the relationship between group goals and members’ effort (behavioural conformity). Specifically, low independent and high interdependent self-construal was associated with greater cognitive and behavioural alignment of the self with the group compared to high independent and low interdependent self-construal. Findings are discussed regarding the role of self-construal as a precedent of conformity.

Newcomer conformity: How self-construal affects the alignment of cognition and behaviour with group goals in novel groups.

by Kai Sassenberg

Täuber, S., & Sassenberg, K. (in press). Newcomer conformity: How self-construal affects the alignment of cognition and behaviour with group goals in novel groups. Social Psychology.

The present research is the first to examine the impact of self-construal on newcomers’ motivation to conform with the... more The present research is the first to examine the impact of self-construal on newcomers’ motivation to conform with the goals of a novel group. We argue that when social identity (i.e., individuals’ concern for a specific group) has not yet been developed, newcomers will rely on self-construal (i.e., individuals’ chronic concern for ingroups and connectedness with others in general) to derive norms for group-serving vs. self-serving behaviour. Results of an experiment (N = 172) supported this prediction: Self-construal moderated the relationship between group goals and individual goals (cognitive conformity) as well as the relationship between group goals and members’ effort (behavioural conformity). Specifically, low independent and high interdependent self-construal was associated with greater cognitive and behavioural alignment of the self with the group compared to high independent and low interdependent self-construal. Findings are discussed regarding the role of self-construal as a precedent of conformity.