Equally inaccurate perceivers differ in the attributions they make for group differences

Evidence

Suppose one were to ask perceivers about racial disparities in high-school dropout rates. And these estimates were then compared with actual rates. It may well be the case that perceivers (particularly white majority participants) would overestimate the differences between racial groups. Yet this stereotypic exaggeration might be only part of the story. To aptly characterize the intergroup dynamics operating, it would be important to know not only how accurate perceptions are, but what attributions are made for perceived differences. Two perceivers may be inaccurate to exactly the same extent but one may believe the group differences are caused by poverty and an unsupportive social environment, whereas the other may believe the group differences reflect an underlying difference in intellectual ability. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 893

Categorization

• DEFINE: Distinguishes perceptual accuracy from the attributions made for perceived differences — two separable components of intergroup perception.