Effects of Minimal Group Identity on Processing of Evaluative Information
Subject
Group identity.; Stereotyping.Abstract
The Problem:
The purpose of this study was to assess whether minimal group identity,
as established through a minimal group paradigm, could influence processing of
evaluative information. Minimal group identity was measured through a series
of trait scales on which subjects were asked to rate own group and out group
members. Processing speed was measured through a semantic priming
paradigm previously used with stereotyped primes and traits. It was predicted
subjects would rate own group members higher than outgroup members.
Additionally it was predicted that subjects' reaction times would be faster to
positive character traits after their own group label than the outgroup's label.
Procedure:
Seventy-two Drake University students (36 female and 36 male) were
randomlydivided into one of two groups by a dot estimation task and assigned
a group label (YOF or LAJ). Subjects performed the semantic priming task
with minimal group labels serving as primes of positive and negative character
traits. Evaluative trait scales were used as dependent measures of ingroup
bias.
Findings:
Analysis of trait scales revealed that the minimal group paradigm, as
presented in this study, failed to establish ingroup bias as predicted.
Unexpectedly, subjects consistently rated outgroup members higher than
ingroup members across all evaluative traits. Results of reaction time
analyses were contingent upon the establishment of minimal group identity;
therefore those results can not be interpreted as supporting or refuting the
main hypothesis of this study.
Conclusions:
Because minimal group identity was not established in this study, it
should not be concluded that minimal group labels cannot be reference points
that would facilitate processing of positive and negative information. A test
of this hypothesis requires clear determination that the minimal group
paradigm formed group boundaries and established ingroup bias.
Recommendations:
In a future replication the minimal group paradigm could again be used
in conjunction with a semantic priming task, but with an experimental
population of either all male or all female subjects. Additionally, a mixed
gender population should be used, but with more interaction between and
within groups, a competitive element or a self esteem manipulation. It is
possible that the results of this study are not a reflection of the inability of
this paradigm to work, but rather an establishment of the lower limits of
group identification necessary to influence processing of evaluative
information.
Description
58 leaves. Advisor: Judith Allen.