Owuamalam, Weerabangsa et al. (2016).pdf (1.83 MB)
Chip on the shoulder? The hunchback heuristic predicts the attribution of anger to low status groups and calm to high status groups
Across societies, there is a tendency to associate members
of low status groups with anger, and to associate members of high status groups
with calm (i.e. the hunchback heuristic), but there is no empirical documentation
for this phenomenon. Thus, in a pilot study (N = 30) we validated the stimuli
that we generated to test the existence of a hunchback stereotype by
distinguishing two interstatus contexts of skinshade and race in terms of
social status: Dark-skinned Indians (and Blacks) were perceived as lower in
social status compared to light-skinned Indians (and Whites). Using a
multi-method approach comprising an IAT-like protocol and explicit
self-reports, Study 2 (N = 80) revealed that perceivers associated dark-skinned
Indians with anger, and light-skinned Indians with calm: An effect that was
explained by perceived social status. Study 3 (N = 114) corroborated the
evidence from Study 2, but in the interstatus contexts of Blacks vs. Whites,
and large men vs. slim men. Blacks (and large men) were associated with anger,
and Whites (and slim men) were associated with calm. Additionally, Study 3
ruled out “racial prejudice” as an explanation for these trends. We conclude
with an outline of the theoretical and practical implications of these
findings.