The Influence of Group Diversity on Intergroup Bias Following Recategorization

Abstract

Although recategorization in laboratory studies of nominal groups has received considerable support, some researchers have criticized such efforts as impossible when demographic diversity is the source of group identification. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of diversity on intergroup bias among groups where recategorization efforts had occurred. The author gathered data from 162 undergraduate students (as either 54 3-participant groups or 27 6-participant groups; 107 men and 55 women). Results of moderated regression analysis indicated that, although diversity did not influence participants' perceptions of the aggregate as a single group, diversity did influence intergroup bias. Specifically, bias was highest when more homogeneous groups merged with more diverse groups. The author discussed results in terms of theoretical contributions and implications for managing diversity.

Keywords:

• cross-cultural studies
• discrimination
• group process
• self-categorization