Status and competition jointly explain divergent forms of prejudice

Evidence

The mixed stereotypes we have described may be the product of historical and social accidents, but we have shown that—at the level of the two crucial dimensions of competence and warmth— they are predictable from variables that have long been of interest to prejudice theorists. Other theorists have argued that relative status leads to predictable forms of group differentiation (Jost & Banaji, 1994; Tajfel, 1981). Similarly, competition has a history in prejudice work, from Sherif’s (1966) manipulation of group interdependence to the contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954) and more recent attempts at prejudice reduction (e.g., Dovidio, Gaertner, & Validzic, 1998; Dovidio, Kawakami, & Gaertner, 2000; Gonzalez & Brown, 1999). The idea that these social structural variables determine the quality of relations with out-groups is not new, but our approach shows how status and competition together create different forms of prejudice. Although it is impossible to predict the paths of individual snowflakes in a blizzard, we may at least be able to understand why and in what direction the wind will blow. — Susan T. Fiske et al., A Model of (Often Mixed) Stereotype…, 307

Categorization

• XREF: The ‘individual snowflakes in a blizzard’ framing directly parallels the stated reading purpose — you cannot predict the individual (small-exclusive subgroup) but can explain the systemic direction (powerful-minority scapegoating). Echoes the thermodynamic/statistical reasoning in the reader’s tree infrastructure and sacrifice interests. — connects to: Perceived social status predicts competence stereotypes while competition predicts perceived coldness — Susan T. Fiske et al., A Model of (Often Mixed) Stereotype…, 140; Prejudice stems from distinct threat and competition motives — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2492; Prejudice combines cognitive, motivational, and socialized causes — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 126 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Distinct structural relations produce qualitatively different forms of prejudice #expands (0.85) — Susan T. Fiske et al., A Model of (Often Mixed) Stereotype…, 305
• Prejudice stems from distinct threat and competition motives #expands (0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2492
• Groups respond to perceived competition through outgroup derogation, ingroup enhancement, and status-quo-preserving discrimination #exemplifies (0.80) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1509
• Group competition breeds prejudice while cooperative interdependence reduces bias #expands (0.74) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1483
• Prejudice combines cognitive, motivational, and socialized causes #qualifies (0.72) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 126
• Status anxiety drives prejudice through projection and displaced aggression chains #expands (0.71) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 563