Counter-stereotypes reduce emotional intergroup bias by eliciting surprise in the face of unexpected category combinations

Prati, Francesca; Crisp, Richard J.; Rubini, Monica

doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2015.06.004

Counter-stereotypes reduce emotional intergroup bias by eliciting surprise in the face of unexpected category combinations

Prati, Francesca; Crisp, Richard J.; Rubini, Monica

Authors

Francesca Prati

Professor Richard Crisp richard.j.crisp@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Monica Rubini

Abstract

In three experiments we investigated the impact that exposure to counter-stereotypes has on emotional reactions to outgroups. In Experiment 1, thinking about gender counter-stereotypes attenuated stereotyped emotions toward females and males. In Experiment 2, an immigrant counterstereotype attenuated stereotyped emotions toward this outgroup and reduced dehumanization tendencies. Experiment 3 replicated these results using an alternative measure of humanization. In both Experiments 2 and 3 sequential meditational analysis revealed that counter-stereotypes produced feelings of surprise which, in turn, elicited a cognitive process of expectancy violation which resulted in attenuated stereotyped emotions and an enhanced use of uniquely human characteristics to describe the outgroup. The findings extend research supporting the usefulness of counter-stereotype exposure for reducing prejudice and highlight its positive impact on intergroup emotions.

Citation

Prati, F., Crisp, R. J., & Rubini, M. (2015). Counter-stereotypes reduce emotional intergroup bias by eliciting surprise in the face of unexpected category combinations. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 61, 31-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2015.06.004

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jun 20, 2015
Online Publication Date	Jun 27, 2015
Publication Date	Nov 1, 2015
Deposit Date	Aug 23, 2017
Publicly Available Date	Jun 4, 2018
Journal	Journal of Experimental Social Psychology
Print ISSN	0022-1031
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	61
Pages	31-43
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2015.06.004
Related Public URLs	http://publications.aston.ac.uk/26490/

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http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Copyright Statement
© 2015 This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/