Abstract

VALLEJOS HERNANDEZ, Jorge et al. Variables Related to Satisfactory Social Identity and their Differential Effects on Essentialism of Ingroups and Outgroups. Av. Psicol. Latinoam. [online]. 2015, vol.33, n.2, pp.175-188. ISSN 1794-4724.  https://doi.org/10.12804/apl33.02.2015.01.

Essentialism is the tendency to believe that social groups exist because their members share a common essence that determines them to be part of this group. The aim of this research was interested in determining the effect of three identity variables (ingroup's valence, status, and stability of categorical membership) in essentialist perception about an ingroup and out-group. The design was experimental quasi experimental with post-test and control group. It evaluated the impact of independent variables in essentialist's adhesion. Two hundred participants were selected and assigned in a random way to one of eight possible experimental conditions. Essentialism was measured by a scale in two versions; one for the ingroup and the other for an outgroup. The results show that in the case of in-group's essentialism there was an interaction between valence and group status that implied that participants in the "positive and powerful" condition adhered more to essentialist beliefs than those in a "negative and powerful" condition. On the other hand, a second interaction between valence and stability showed that participants in a "negative and stable" condition, adhered more to essentialist beliefs than participants on a "negative and unstable" condition. These results are discussed in their relationship with results of previous studies and their potential contribution to the comprehension of the dynamic of essentialism.

Keywords : Psychological essentialism; groups' phenomenon; social identity.

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