Abstract
The present research links a nonsocial, contextual influence (construal level) to the tendency to endorse genetic attributions for individual and social group differences. Studies 1 to 3 show that people thinking in an abstract (vs. concrete) mind-set score higher on a measure of genetic attributions for individual and racial group differences. Study 4 showed that abstract (vs. concrete) construal also increased genetic attributions for novel groups. Study 5 explored the potential downstream consequences of construal on intergroup attitudes, and found that abstract (vs. concrete) construal led people to endorse genetic attributions in general and this was associated with increased anti-Black prejudice.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1395-1407 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1 2018 |
Keywords
- construal-level theory
- essentialism
- genetic attributions
- prejudice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology