A consensual status system can paradoxically protect group self-esteem from comparison

Evidence

On the one hand, attribution to discrimination can be seen as an “external” causality, in that this type of explanation can be made independent of, or even as opposed to, the actor’s personal attributes. Indeed, claiming discrimination for a negative outcome, rather than blaming the self, may alleviate the potential damage to self-esteem (Crocker & Major, 1989). On the other hand, attribution to discrimination is likely to heighten the awareness on the part of the rejected person concerning the fact that he or she belongs to a stigmatized group. Arguably, such category-based self-concept may imply an “internal” causality. Indeed, a study by Schmitt and Branscombe (2002) demonstrated that the locus of causality with regard to discrimination can be perceived as both internal and external at the same time. As a consequence, attribution to discrimination may not necessarily be a remedy to damaged self-esteem but may instead hurt self-esteem even more than other kinds of attributions (Schmitt & Branscombe, 2002, Study 2). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 129 (#complicates, via linked claim)

In a related perspective, people may justify their current place in the social system by prejudice toward outgroups (see Jost & Hamilton, ch. 13 this volume). This protects the self-esteem of dominant groups, not subordinate ones, unless subordinate groups are allowed positive stereotypes on some unimportant dimension. For example, ambivalent sexism consists of hostility toward women who violate traditional gender roles and benevolent (paternalistic) appreciation of women who adhere to them (Glick & Fiske, 2001). — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 345 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Positive social comparisons are just as harmful as negative ones — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 1479; Understanding status mechanisms is a precondition for reducing inequality; Basking in reflected glory and downward comparison are complementary affiliation strategies for self-esteem. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 161 (+12 more)

Broader Connections

• Attributing rejection to discrimination can damage self-esteem rather than protect it #complicates (0.80) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 129
• System-justifying prejudice protects dominant groups’ self-esteem, not subordinate ones’ #complicates (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 345