Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
A social psychological study of ethnonyms: cognitive representation of the in-group and intergroup hostility
Brian Mullen1, Rachel M Calogero, Tirza I Leader
1Department of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Ethnonyms (M. G. Levin & L. P. Potapov, 1964; from the Greek roots meaning "a national group" and "name") are the names an in-group uses to distinguish itself from out-groups. There has been no social psychological research to date exploring the effects of ethnonyms. The authors report the results of 3 studies examining the potential effects of various features of ethnonyms on intergroup behavior. Analyses of archival data indicate that among indigenous African cultures (Study 1), indigenous Native American cultures (Study 2), and African Americans (Study 3), intergroup hostility was greater among in-groups characterized by less complex ethnonyms. Discussion considers the implications of these results and suggests new directions for research in the social psychological study of ethnonyms.
Related Concept Videos
In- and Out-Groups
Impact of Groups on Groups
Social Identity
Stereotype Content Model
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Surveys

