Explaining differences between social groups: The impact of group identification on attribution

We present a study investigating the role of social identity processes in the explanation of intergroup differences. By transposing the fundamental attribution error hypothesis (Pettigrew, 1979), we predict that the explanation for differences favoring the out-group will be preferentially attributed to "external" factors (socio-structural factors or the action of a deviant sub-group). When differences favour the in-group, internal explanations (emphasizing cultural differences or differences in personality traits) are more likely to be selected. Moreover, if these differences are driven by ide... Mehr ...