Intergroup influences on the stereotype consistency bias in communication: Does it matter who we are communicating about and to whom we are communicating?

Past research in the area of stereotype communication has shown, using various paradigms, a reliable bias toward the communication of stereotype consistent information over stereotype inconsistent information (a stereotype consistency bias). One aspect of such communication that has received little attention, however, is the social context in which such communication occurs, and in particular, the group membership of the individuals involved. In the present study, we further unpack the stereotype consistency bias by varying the relative group memberships of the communicator, target, and audience of a narrative and examine the effect of the communication of stereotype consistent and inconsistent information. Our results suggest that these group memberships can have a dramatic effect upon stereotype communication, with the stereotype consistency bias only being evident in specific communicative contexts. findings are discussed in terms of theoretical implications for the stereotype communication field, with particular focus on the socially connective functions of stereotypes.