Intergroup differentiation: Stereotyping as a function of status hierarchy

The authors explored how negative intergroup comparisons affect intergroup differentiation. More specifically, they tested the prediction that the in- group's negative intergroup comparisons with a high-status group would resu lt in more negative stereotyping of a lower status out-group. The authors e licited stereotypes of a lower status university in 2 conditions. In the Is t, the participants judged only the middle-ranking university in-group and a lower status university. In the 2nd, those judgments followed comparison with a higher status university. In the 2nd condition, there was an increas ed differentiation between the in-group and the lower status out-group beca use of the more negative stereotyping of the lower status out-group. This e vidence of intergroup differentiation was found only on the dimension judge d most important and along which the ingroup was negatively compared with t he higher status group.