Outgroup homogeneity effects 9
Outgroup homogeneity, outgroup discrimination, and ingroup favoritism are three
facets of intergroup perceptions (Brewer, 1979). Consistent with the attitude that
exaggerated perceptions of intergroup differences are needed to bolster social identity,
Kristiansen (1990) found that feminist lesbians perceived no similarity between the
values of their group and those of gay men. Intergroup discrimination is observable
specially when the belief that outgroup members violate important values is held by
ingroup members (Kinder, 1986). People who are HIV negative can make different
appraisals of outgroup members (i.e., people with AIDS) based on the social identity that
has been made notable (Smith, 1993). If AIDS is coupled with homosexuality, then the
emotional reaction towards PWAs can include sympathy, anger, fear, disgust, contempt,
blame and other negative emotional reactions (Collins, 1998; Devine et al., 1999). Stigma
related with cancer does not include such severe negative reactions as does AIDS
(Greene, 2000).
Based on the aforementioned discussion, we ask the following research questions:
RQ1: Which topic of disease (AIDS or cancer) will result in greater
outgroup/ingroup homogeneity effects?
RQ2: Which attributed sexual orientation (homosexual or heterosexual) will
result in greater outgroup/ingroup homogeneity effects?
Sex of Respondent and of Target Person with AIDS or Cancer as Predictors of Outgroup
Homogeneity Effect
Social dominance has been studied as one of the factors that predict outgroup
homogeneity effects. Individuals are motivated to derogate outgroups to maintain a
positive self-evaluation (Tajfel, Flament, Billig, & Bundy, 1971). Members of the
Convention