Perceived Control and Intergroup Discrimination

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived control and intergroup discrimination. Two hypotheses are tested. The first states that the display of intergroup discrimination will lead to an increased sense of perceived control. The second states that low levels of perceived control (manipulated through a control-threatening exclusion paradigm) will lead to increased intergroup discrimination. Clear support was found for the first hypothesis. Some support was found for the second hypothesis. New Zealanders who allocated more white noise to out-group members (i.e., Asians) than in-group members (i.e., New Zealanders) reported increased perceptions of control. Compared to those in the baseline, participants with lower and higher perceptions of control both showed increased discrimination. Intergroup discrimination was positively associated with increased perceptions of control. Partial correlation revealed that this relationship was not a function of self-uncertainty, group-specific esteem or social identity.