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Being outperformed in an intergroup context: the relationship between group status and self-protective strategies
Sandrine Redersdorff1, Delphine Martinot
1Laboratoire de Psychologie Sociale et Cognitive, Université Blaise Pascal, Clermont-Ferrand Cedex, France. sandrine.redersdorff@univ-bpclermont.fr
Abstract:
The present study examines the effects of group status on self-esteem when individuals are outperformed by an in-group target (Experiments 1 and 2) or an out-group (Experiment 2). The main aim was to examine different self-protective mechanisms when the current standing of the in-group vis-à-vis another group is either unfavourable (low status) or favourable (high status). Experiment 1 showed that when outperformed by an in-group target, the members of a low status group reported higher self-esteem than members of a high status group. Moreover, this effect was mediated by group identification. Experiment 2 replicated the previous results and gave rise to similar effects on investment in the group. The perceived relevance of the comparison group appeared to protect the self-esteem of high status group members. This research demonstrates the mediating role of self-protection mechanisms such as group identification and the perceived relevance of a comparison group.
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