Dispersion inaccuracy means misperceiving within-group variability

Evidence

The second sort of inaccuracy focuses on the perceiver’s estimate of the within-group variability of individuals along the attribute continuum. One may underestimate or overestimate the degree to which individuals who are members of the groups are dispersed along the continuum, and this error may characterize perceptions of one of the groups more than perceptions of the other. This sort of error is known as dispersion inaccuracy. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 857

The second sort of inaccuracy focuses on the perceiver’s estimate of the within-group variability of individuals along the attribute continuum. One may underestimate or overestimate the degree to which individuals who are members of the groups are dispersed along the continuum, and this error may characterize perceptions of one of the groups more than perceptions of the other. This sort of error is known as dispersion inaccuracy. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 857

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines dispersion inaccuracy as error in estimating within-group variability.
• XREF: Dispersion inaccuracy (outgroup homogeneity) links to vault claims about perceived outgroup variability and stereotyping.
• corroborated: 4 independent passages support this claim — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 857; , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 857