The effect of in or out-group membership of a critic on personality sensitivity
Daniel Middleton
Abstract
Background
Group membership creates a social identity that results in in-group favourtism, as a result in-group members distrust out-group members. However, little research has been conducted into the threat that arises from whether criticism is from an in-group or an out-group member.
Aim
The aim of this study was to compare personality sensitivity perception based on a critics membership of an in or out-group.
Method
Fifty, first year psychology students, M = 19.58 years, were split into two groups of 25, they were asked to complete a personality sensitivity questionnaire based upon a vignette containing a critique of students. Each group contained a different condition; either the critic was an in-group member or an out-group member.
Results
The personality perception scores display a preference toward in-group criticism, M = 3.79, as opposed to out-group criticism M = 4.46. The results were found to be statistically significant, t (48) = 2.26, p < .025.
Conclusions
Criticism from an individual’s in-group is favoured over that from an out-group. …show more content…
The participants were then given a vignette and a personality-rating questionnaire based upon the group they had been allocated to. The questionnaire contained instructions informing the participants to read the statement and rate the personality of the critic. Following the completion of the questionnaire, participants were then informed the experiment was not the based on the perception of personality types. They were fully debriefed that this experiment was testing what influence the group membership of an individual has on this perception of
Daniel Middleton
Abstract
Background
Group membership creates a social identity that results in in-group favourtism, as a result in-group members distrust out-group members. However, little research has been conducted into the threat that arises from whether criticism is from an in-group or an out-group member.
Aim
The aim of this study was to compare personality sensitivity perception based on a critics membership of an in or out-group.
Method
Fifty, first year psychology students, M = 19.58 years, were split into two groups of 25, they were asked to complete a personality sensitivity questionnaire based upon a vignette containing a critique of students. Each group contained a different condition; either the critic was an in-group member or an out-group member.
Results
The personality perception scores display a preference toward in-group criticism, M = 3.79, as opposed to out-group criticism M = 4.46. The results were found to be statistically significant, t (48) = 2.26, p < .025.
Conclusions
Criticism from an individual’s in-group is favoured over that from an out-group. …show more content…
The participants were then given a vignette and a personality-rating questionnaire based upon the group they had been allocated to. The questionnaire contained instructions informing the participants to read the statement and rate the personality of the critic. Following the completion of the questionnaire, participants were then informed the experiment was not the based on the perception of personality types. They were fully debriefed that this experiment was testing what influence the group membership of an individual has on this perception of