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Separating Status from Power as an Antecedent of Intergroup Perception

Montana State University

Lowell Gaertner

University of Tennessee

Status and power covary such that higher status groups are typically higher power groups. This research explored the effect of status on intergroup perception controlling for power. Experiment 1 manipulated the relative status of social groups and explicitly provided the groups equal power. Experiment 2 manipulated status and power orthogonally. Multiple measures yielded consistent patterns indicating that status affected perceived group centrality and variability independent of power. The patterns were consistent with a strategic intergroup comparison account as suggested by social identity theory. Specifically, the effect of status on intergroup perception varied with the relevance and valence of the dimension of comparison in a manner that balanced social reality with a positive social identity.

Key Words: group perception • group variability • heterogeneity • homogeneity • in-group homogeneity • ingroup homogeneity • intergroup perception • outgroup homogeneity • out-group homogeneity • power • status

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