PERCEPTIONS OF GROUP VARIABILITY - MOVING FROM AN UNCERTAIN CRAWL TO A PURPOSEFUL STRIDE

We survey the status of research on perceptions of group variability by summarizing existing cognitive, social, and motivational explanations. We also discuss issues that future work in this area will need to consider, such as theoretical integration, emphasis on process tracing measures, characteristics of groups (i.e., minimal vs. natural groups, equal vs. unequal familiarity groups, the perceivers' emotional reaction to groups, relative group size, relative group status), and sources of information about groups (i.e., direct vs. indirect, indirect passive vs. indirect active). We conclude by recommending that the research agenda be broadened to encompass not only the determinants but also the consequences of perceived group variability.