The influence of target group status on the perception of the offensiveness of group-based slurs

P. J. Henry, Sarah E. Butler, Mark J. Brandt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two studies investigate the effects of target group status on perceptions of the offensiveness of group-based slurs. Using real-world groups as targets, Study 1 showed that the perception that a group is of lower status in society is associated with the perceived offensiveness of insults targeting that group. Experimental methods in Study 2 showed that people perceive slurs against a low status group as especially offensive, a pattern that was mediated by the expectation that low-status targets would be emotionally reactive to the insult. The results suggest that cultural taboos emerge concerning insults against low-status groups that may be due in part to how those target groups are expected to respond emotionally to those insults.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)185-192
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Experimental Social Psychology
Volume53
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Group-based insults
  • Group-based status
  • Intergroup relations
  • Prejudice
  • Taboos

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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