Bias in intergroup perceptions: Balancing group identity with social reality

This study illuminates how social reality affects in-group favoritism in group perceptions. Members of two student associations (which were expected to have differential status) as well as nonmembers participated in this study (total N = 103). Participants rated the perceived status of the two groups and indicated to what extent they identified with each group. They also rated the two groups on typical and nontypical traits and evaluated these traits. In support of predictions, members of the group with lower perceived status displayed more in-group-favoring biases than members of the group with higher perceived status. However, biased ratings did not violate consensual definitions of social reality as indicated by nonmembers. The observed biases correlated substantially with participants' group identifications.