Identical behaviors of outgroup members are encoded as abstract traits

Evidence

Positive outcomes and behaviors are more likely to be attributed to internal, stable characteristics (the personality) of ingroup than outgroup members, whereas negative outcomes and behaviors are more likely to be ascribed to the personalities of outgroup than ingroup members (Hewstone, 1990). Relatedly, observed behaviors of ingroup and outgroup members are encoded in memory at different levels of abstraction (Maass, Ceccarelli, & Rudin, 1996). Undesirable actions of outgroup members are encoded at more abstract levels that presume intentionality and dispositional origin (e.g., she is hostile) than identical behaviors of ingroup members (e.g., she slapped the girl). Desirable actions of outgroup members, however, are encoded at more concrete levels (e.g., she walked across the street holding the old man’s hand) relative to the same behaviors of ingroup members (e.g., she is helpful). These cognitive biases help to perpetuate social biases and stereotypes even in the face of countervailing evidence. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 554 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Kabyle associations are contextual traces, not symbolic codes; Abstract language frames outgroup faults as stable traits but ingroup faults as incidents; Abstract speech about outgroups implies stable, generalizable negative traits. (+8 more)

Broader Connections

• Identical behaviors are cognitively encoded differently depending on group membership #corroborates (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 554
• Outgroup failures are called stable traits while identical ingroup acts stay specific #exemplifies (0.92)