Pattern deviancy aversion predicts prejudice via a dislike of statistical minorities

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Prejudice Research

Background:

• A documented overlap exists between aversion to non-social pattern deviancy and social prejudice.
• The underlying psychological processes and causal nature of this association remain unclear.
• Statistical minorities, by definition, deviate from societal norms, potentially triggering aversion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether aversion to non-social pattern deviancy causally contributes to social prejudice.
• To examine the mediating role of disliking statistical minorities in the link between pattern deviancy aversion and prejudice.
• To explore this mediation across different stigmatized groups and varying group sizes.

Main Methods:

• Nine studies involving 1,821 participants, including adults and children.
• Measurement of non-social pattern deviancy aversion and social prejudice.
• Experimental manipulation of pattern deviancy aversion and assessment of prejudice against statistical minorities and stigmatized groups.

Main Results:

• Non-social pattern deviancy aversion was linked to disliking statistical minorities, which predicted prejudice against Black people.
• Experimental increases in pattern deviancy aversion influenced prejudice, mediated by dislike of statistical minorities.
• The effect of pattern deviancy aversion on prejudice varied with group size, showing stronger prejudice when the group was a statistical minority.

Conclusions:

• Aversion to non-social pattern deviancy motivates social prejudice.
• This motivation is partly driven by an increased dislike for individuals who are statistical minorities.
• Findings highlight a novel cognitive pathway contributing to prejudice formation and maintenance.