Group Threat and the Black Sheep Effect
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology and Special Education
Date of Award
Fall 2018
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the differences in degree of punishment of ingroup and outgroup members when the ingroup is, or is not, under threat. Students from a mid-sized university in rural Northeast Texas were first asked to complete a measure assessing identification with Americans to make participants' ingroup identity salient. Next, participants were randomly assigned to learn about a threat to the ingroup (vs. not) and about a deviant ingroup or outgroup member. Following the manipulations participants rated perceptions of the deviant person, retributive justice, perception of the group, felt angst, and ingroup strengthening behaviors. As past researchers discovered who previously examined the black sheep effect, it was hypothesized that participants who were exposed to a deviant ingroup (vs. outgroup) member would rate the ingroup member more harshly. However, it was also predicted that recommended punishment would be attenuated when the group is under threat (e.g., Moskalenko, McCauley, & Rozin, 2006). The results showed no differences between the groups, both in the control condition and the threat condition. These findings highlight that more research into this area is needed to better explain if the type of threat experienced (i.e., extinction, stereotype, symbolic) leads to more or less reaction from group members, as well as explaining if the reaction group members display is dependent on context.
Advisor
Stephen Reysen
Subject Categories
Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Ray, Adam Thomas, "Group Threat and the Black Sheep Effect" (2018). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 397.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/397
