Group boundary permeability moderates the effect of a dependency meta‐stereotype on help‐seeking behaviour

Abstract

Previous studies have found that when low-status group members are aware that their in-group is stereotyped as dependent by a specific out-group (i.e. a dependency meta-stereotype is salient), they are reluctant to seek help from the high-status out-group to avoid confirming the negative meta-stereotype. However, it is unclear whether low-status group members would seek more help in the context of a salient dependency meta-stereotype when there is low (vs. high) group boundary permeability. Therefore, we conducted two experiments to examine the moderating effect of permeability on meta-stereotype confirmation with a real group. In study 1, we manipulated the salience of the dependency meta-stereotype, measured participants' perceived permeability and examined their help-seeking behaviour in a real-world task. Participants who perceived low permeability sought more help when the meta-stereotype was salient (vs. not salient), whereas participants who perceived high permeability sought the same amount of help across conditions. In study 2, we manipulated the permeability levels and measured the dependency meta-stereotype. Participants who endorsed a high-dependency meta-stereotype sought more help than participants who endorsed a low-dependency meta-stereotype; this effect was particularly strong in the low-permeability condition. The implications of these results for social mobility and intergroup helping are discussed.

Crossing team boundaries: A theoretical model of team boundary permeability and a discussion of why it matters

“…For example, Terry et al (2006) discussed boundary permeability in the context of social boundaries, and noted that ‘perceptions of permeable boundaries reflect the extent to which group members believe that the intergroup boundaries are open and … the extent to which the social boundaries that separate their own group from another group can be crossed’ (Terry et al, 2006: 251). Zhang et al (2016) described group boundary permeability in the context of physical movement across boundaries as the ‘extent to which [individuals] could leave their group and join another group’.…”

Metastereotypes impairing doctor–patient relations: The roles of intergroup anxiety and patient trust

“…Metastereotypes of the disadvantaged group about the dominant group can lead to guilt and awareness of their unreasonable status (Crocker, Major, & Steele, 1998). Therefore, the metastereotype of the disadvantaged group is more likely to be activated than that of the dominant group (Lammers et al, 2008; Zhang, Kou, Zhao, & Fu, 2016). Researchers believe that individuals automatically activate negative metastereotypes (Vorauer et al, 2000).…”

Empathy by dominant versus minority group members in intergroup interaction: Do dominant group members always come out on top?

“…For minority group members who empathize with a dominant group member, however, the general power script and their meta-stereotype point in opposite directions. Minority group members’ knowledge structures regarding how dominant group members view their group are generally apt to include traits and characteristics that connote low status and marginalization, such as dependency and incompetence (Bergsieker, Shelton, & Richeson, 2010; Vorauer et al, 1998; Zhang, Kou, Zhao, & Fu, 2015). Thus, at the same time as empathizing might raise these individuals up by virtue of the general power script, it might also lead them to think about how they will be seen through the lens of a meta-stereotype that highlights the lower relative power of their group.…”