Abstract

Two experiments investigated the way in which the presence of a comparative or inter-group context during stereotype formation affects stereotype change, induced by subsequent disconfirming information. Participants learned about a focal group, after learning about one of the two context groups. After reporting their stereotypes about both groups, participants learned additional information about the focal group. This information described new group members who either confirmed or disconfirmed the group stereotype. Consistent with previous research, participants formed more extreme stereotypes about the focal group on dimensions that distinguished it from the context group (i.e., a contrast effect). In response to the subsequently presented disconfirming group members, a greater stereotype change was observed on dimensions that distinguished the focal group from the context group than on dimensions it did not. We argue that these effects are due to differences in perceived typicality of disconfirming group members.

DOI

10.1016/S0022-1031(02)00010-0

Publication Date

2002-01-01

Publication Title

Journal of Experimental Social Psychology

Volume

38

Issue

5

Publisher

Elsevier BV

ISSN

0022-1031

Embargo Period

2024-11-22

First Page

443

Last Page

458

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