Abstract
Although stereotypes and prejudice are commonly regarded as conceptually distinct but related constructs, previous research remains silent on the processes underlying their relation. Applying the balance-congruity principle to the concepts (a) group, (b) valence, and (c) attribute, we argue that the valence of attributes contained in a group-stereotype shapes evaluations of the group, while prejudice toward a group influences which attributes are stereotypically associated with the group. Using fictitious (Experiments 1 and 3) and real (Experiments 2 and 4) groups, the current studies demonstrate that (a) experimentally induced changes in the valence of semantic attributes associated with a group (stereotypes) influence implicit prejudice toward that group (Experiments 1 and 2), and (b) experimentally induced changes in the valence of a group (prejudice) influence implicit stereotyping of that group (Experiments 3 and 4). These findings demonstrate a bidirectional causal relation between prejudice and stereotypes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1318-1330 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |
Volume | 46 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 4 Feb 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2020 |
Keywords
- balance-congruity principle
- evaluative conditioning
- implicit social cognition
- prejudice
- stereotypes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology