Subjective Uncertainty and Intergroup Discrimination in the Minimal Group Situation
Author(s)
Grieve, P.
Hogg, M.
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
1999
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Minimal group studies are sometimes interpreted as showing that social categorization per se inevitably produces discrimination. Self-categorization theory clarifies this point, suggesting that a process of self-categorization must occur to transform an external categorization into an internalized representation. Hogg and Abrams suggest that the underlying motive for self-categorization is the reduction of subjective uncertainty. Two minimal group experiments employing different manipulations of uncertainty were conducted in which categorization and subjective uncertainty were manipulated in a 2×2 design. Across both studies, ...
View more >Minimal group studies are sometimes interpreted as showing that social categorization per se inevitably produces discrimination. Self-categorization theory clarifies this point, suggesting that a process of self-categorization must occur to transform an external categorization into an internalized representation. Hogg and Abrams suggest that the underlying motive for self-categorization is the reduction of subjective uncertainty. Two minimal group experiments employing different manipulations of uncertainty were conducted in which categorization and subjective uncertainty were manipulated in a 2×2 design. Across both studies, as hypothesized, intergroup discrimination only occurred when participants were categorized under conditions of subjective uncertainty. This was accompanied by enhanced group identification and elevated self-esteem. It is concluded that categorization per se is necessary but not sufficient for discrimination—people must self-categorize, and this is motivated by a need for subjective uncertainty reduction. Discrimination is not an inevitable outcome of categorization.
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View more >Minimal group studies are sometimes interpreted as showing that social categorization per se inevitably produces discrimination. Self-categorization theory clarifies this point, suggesting that a process of self-categorization must occur to transform an external categorization into an internalized representation. Hogg and Abrams suggest that the underlying motive for self-categorization is the reduction of subjective uncertainty. Two minimal group experiments employing different manipulations of uncertainty were conducted in which categorization and subjective uncertainty were manipulated in a 2×2 design. Across both studies, as hypothesized, intergroup discrimination only occurred when participants were categorized under conditions of subjective uncertainty. This was accompanied by enhanced group identification and elevated self-esteem. It is concluded that categorization per se is necessary but not sufficient for discrimination—people must self-categorize, and this is motivated by a need for subjective uncertainty reduction. Discrimination is not an inevitable outcome of categorization.
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Journal Title
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Volume
25
Issue
8
Subject
Psychology
Cognitive Sciences