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Perceptions of the collective other
R P Abelson1, N Dasgupta, J Park
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. robert.abelson@yale.edu
Summary
Group perceptions differ from individual perceptions, influenced by factors like similarity and proximity. Studies show distinct responses to group versus individual actions and insults, highlighting unique social cognition processes for groups.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Sociology
Background:
- Individual and group perceptions are often conflated, yet distinct cognitive processes may underlie them.
- Understanding how people perceive groups versus individuals is crucial for explaining stereotyping and prejudice.
- Existing research has not fully explored the unique variables affecting group perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictable distinctions between the cognitive representations of individuals and groups.
- To examine how factors like intragroup similarity and proximity influence group perception.
- To explore differences in responses to individual versus group actions and insults.
Main Methods:
- Three experimental studies were conducted using priming techniques, scenario-based judgments, and visual stimuli.
- Study 1 manipulated pronoun priming ('they' vs. 'he') to assess judgments of individuals acting alone or jointly.
- Study 2 examined preferences for redress following individual or group-based racial insults among Korean participants.
- Study 3 used visual depictions of 'greebles' to manipulate cues of group entitivity (similarity, proximity).
Main Results:
- Priming 'they' led to more extreme negative judgments of joint protagonists compared to a single protagonist, while 'he' had the opposite effect.
- Participants preferred individual responses to individual insults and collective responses to group insults.
- Conditions enhancing group entitivity, such as similarity and proximity, elicited more negative judgments of the group.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive representations of individuals and groups are distinct and influenced by unique variables.
- Group entitivity cues like similarity and proximity significantly impact negative group judgments.
- Further research on the social cognition of group behavior is needed to understand stereotyping and prejudice.