apaheader.gif

So, even if we wanted to, it would be impossible to change our prejudices?

Do they all look alike?

Out-group homogeneity is another psychological mechanism that reinforces our stereotypes about other groups. We tend to perceive other groups, "out groups," as more homogenous than our own group, or "in group." We see members of other groups as less variable, clustered closely around one standard profile. While we see members of our in group as having a lot of variation in behavior, looks, and personality, we tend to see members of an out group as having little variation. In other words, we come to view these other persons less as individuals and more just in terms of their group membership and actually just in terms of our stereotypes about the group characteristics. This process may be what leads to embarrassing situations that occur when we confuse members of an out group with each other and have trouble differentiating them in terms of what they said, what they look like, or even their names.

 

Not impossible, just difficult. And it's not enough to want to change our attitudes. The surest route to changing attitudes is changing behavior (Pettigrew, 1997). Although that might sound backward, research into attitude change has shown it to be true: Our attitudes follow our behavior.

By changing our behavior, for example, putting ourselves in close situations with members of out groups, we increase our familiarity with these individuals. As we become more familiar with them, we naturally see more individuality and variation within such a group. Not all contact will lead to such attitude changesÑit seems the contact is best if structured as encounters among equals who are cooperating to achieve a superordinate goal. But these kinds of behavioral activities are some of the most effective ways to change prejudice.

The operation of naturally biasing processes, such as the illusory correlation and out-group homogeneity bias, when combined with our motivation to view other groups negatively as a way to enhance our own self-esteem, are powerful influences for maintaining stereotypes and prejudice. The desire to change our attitudes plus actual behavioral change on our part can counter these forces.




About Public Interest  Conferences  Executive Director Messages
Public Interest Home Page
Program Areas  Publications  Student Information

American Psychological Association
Public Interest Directorate
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
E-mail: publicinterest@apa.org



©2000 American Psychological Association