What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether individuals perceive their own group as more diverse in personal characteristics than outside groups, and to test if familiarity or in-group favoritism explains this pattern.

September 1, 1981Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

Perceived Variability of Personal Characteristics in In-Groups and Out-Groups

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To determine whether individuals perceive their own group as more diverse in personal characteristics than outside groups, and to test if familiarity or in-group favoritism explains this pattern.
Surveyed undergraduate members from four distinct student clubs.
Asked participants to evaluate the heterogeneity of personal characteristics within their own club compared to the other three clubs.
Measured the number of known in-group and out-group members and overall in-group preference to evaluate potential moderating effects.
Participants rated their in-group as significantly more heterogeneous across personal characteristics than the three out-groups.
The degree of perceived in-group variability was unrelated to the number of in-group or out-group individuals known.
Ratings of group variability showed no significant association with members' degree of preference for their in-group.

Implication

Observational study reveals greater perceived personal variability within in-groups than out-groups among club members, suggesting cognitive bias independent of familiarity or favoritism.

Abstract

Members of four undergraduate clubs rated their own club as more heterogeneous on a series of personal characteristics than they rated the three other clubs. This tendency was unrelated to the number of in-group or out-group members known, or to the degree of preference for the in-group.

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Cite This Study

JONES et al. (1981) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a154eb4a2352da347823a32 https://doi.org/10.1177/014616728173024

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Implication

Observational study reveals greater perceived personal variability within in-groups than out-groups among club members, suggesting cognitive bias independent of familiarity or favoritism.

Perceived Variability of Personal Characteristics in In-Groups and Out-Groups

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Perceived Variability of Personal Characteristics in In-Groups and Out-Groups

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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