INTERGROUP BIAS IN GROUP JUDGMENT PROCESSES - THE ROLE OF BEHAVIORAL MEMORIES

Two experiments examined the role of memory for behavioral episodes in judgments about in-groups and out-groups. Using a minimal group parad igm, participants read either positive or negative trait-relevant beha viors performed by group members. They then were asked to make judgmen ts about the group's trait characteristics. Results demonstrated that for groups described positively, judgments about the out-group but not the in-group were accomplished by retrieving from memory specific beh aviors performed by group members. In contrast, for groups described n egatively, judgments about the in-group but not the out-group were acc omplished by retrieving specific behaviors performed by group members. These results suggest that basic differences in the way judgments abo ut in-groups and out-groups are made contribute to the establishment a nd perpetuation of intergroup bias by decreasing the stability of nega tive in-group and positive out-group impressions and increasing the st ability of positive in-group and negative out-group impressions. (C) 1 998 Academic Press.