The Effects of Prevalent Social Stereotypes on Intergroup Attribution

Abstract

The study tested there alternative hypotheses regarding intergroup attribution patterns derived from the ethnocentric, the asymmetrical, and the stereotype-based models of intergroup attribution. Junior high school pupils (284 males and 298 females) from majority and minority groups in Israel were asked to make internal-external attributions regarding three different competencies awarded to an ingroup or outgroup member. The results largely supported the streotype-based model: Members of both groups made internal attributions for stereotype-consistent positive behavior and external attibutions for stereotype-inconsistent positive behavior, for both the ingroup and the outgroup.