Are they for us or against us? How intergroup metaperceptions shape foreign policy attitudes. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: O'Brien, Thomas C.; Leidner, Bernhard; Tropp, Linda R.
• Is Part Of: Group processes and intergroup relations. Volume 21:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 941
• Page End: 961
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: conflict resolution -- intergroup attitudes -- intergroup contact -- metaperceptions -- outgroup perceptions; Intergroup relations -- Periodicals; Social groups -- Periodicals; 302.305
• DOI: 10.1177/1368430216684645
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1368-4302

Abstract

We identify public opinion polls from other countries as an important form of indirect exposure to outgroups, and an important source of intergroup metaperceptions, outgroup perceptions, and support for group-level behavior towards outgroups. Three experiments demonstrate a two-step process through which such exposure affects support for ingroup behaviors that facilitate peaceful or violent intergroup relations. When indirectly exposed to national outgroups, Americans inferred intergroup metaperceptions (Step 1), which, in turn, shaped outgroup perceptions (Step 2). This effect and its underlying process occurred in relation to both fictitious (Experiment 2) and real outgroups (Iran, Experiment 1; Germany, Saudi Arabia, Experiment 3), as well as those similar (Germany) and dissimilar (Saudi Arabia) to the ingroup (Experiment 3). Further, this effect occurred beyond ingroup perceptions (Experiments 1–3), perceived intergroup threat (Experiments 2–3), and intergroup similarity (Experiment 3). Contributions to the literatures on cross-group contact, intergroup perceptions and attitudes, and image theory are discussed.