Subordinates’ positive self-stereotypes can reinforce the status quo.

Evidence

Thus, Spears and Manstead (1989) found that Manchester students acknowledged the superiority of Oxford students on consensually accepted dimensions such as “hard-working” and “intellectually minded,” but evaluated the in-group more positively than the out-group on traits such as “practically minded,” “easygoing,” and “aware of trends in music and fashion.” The system-justification approach would suggest that the traits on which subordinate groups positively differentiate themselves actually may serve to reinforce the status quo, by creating stereotypes whereby less advantaged groups are seen by themselves and others as accommodating or content (“easygoing”) or not particularly concerned with achievement (“interested in music and fashion”). — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2904

Categorization

• QUESTION: This is a direct challenge to strategic-essentialism as group empowerment: positive in-group identity claims (‘easygoing’) can be captured by and reinforce the system rather than contest it.
• XREF: Echoes Spivak’s worry that strategic identity claims get reabsorbed by the dominant discourse - a psychological demonstration of why ironic essentialism may be unsustainable for subordinate groups. — connects to: Lower-status workers maintain self-esteem by claiming superiority in non-material goods. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology: Key Readings, 2179; Positive complementary stereotypes actually increase support for the status quo — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1410; Stereotypes elicit confirming behavior and perpetuate the status quo — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1374 (+7 more)

Broader Connections

• Positive complementary stereotypes actually increase support for the status quo #corroborates (0.95) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1410
• Stereotypes elicit confirming behavior and perpetuate the status quo #corroborates (0.85) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1374
• Stereotypes are self-fulfilling prophecies that perpetuate the status quo endogenously #expands (0.85) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1374
• Positive stereotypes can justify subordination more effectively than negative ones #expands (0.85) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2956
• Positive stereotypes can justify a disadvantaged group’s low status #corroborates (0.85)
• Benevolent prejudice explains why subordinates collaborate in their own subordination. #corroborates (0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 772
• Stereotypes justify existing social arrangements and preserve the status quo #expands (0.80) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1415