Allport’s projective-inkblot view of outgroups was neglected by later stereotyping research

Evidence

Allport (after Ackerman & Jahoda, 1950) proposed that groups of people can become “living inkblots” (1954/1979, p. 385) onto whom others can project their own fears, frustrations, and perceived inadequacies. A compelling idea, it nonetheless did not play a major role in the subsequent history of research on stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. In recent years, interest in the psychodynamic approach, broadly defined, has made a comeback, as has interest in defensive projection in particular. Full appreciation of the role of projection in stereotyping, however, will require multilevel, multivariate, and multimethod research strategies. In other words, it will require an approach to studying prejudice modeled for us by Gordon Allport. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2379

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the vault’s Allport reassessment thread and Toch-style framing theory on the accused.