Psychology

The role of group versus hierarchy motivations in dominant groups’ perceived discrimination

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Against the backdrop of significant social and political change in the US, dominant groups’ perceptions of discrimination against their group have increased. Previous research shows that group threat and legitimizing beliefs augment these perceptions. However, the concurrent role of individuals’ attitudes towards hierarchy in perceived discrimination has not been examined. In the present research, we investigate whether social dominance orientation (SDO) and group threat (status and moral image threat) interact to predict perceived discrimination among two dominant groups, White Americans and men. Furthermore, we test whether their perceived discrimination predicts less support for policies benefitting minorities and immigrants, and women, respectively. Across two correlational studies (Studies 1 and 2) and one experiment (Study 3), we found little support for the proposed interaction between SDO and group threat; instead, they were independent predictors of the outcomes. By testing SDO and perceived group threats simultaneously, these studies contribute to the literature by showing that group-based and hierarchy-based concerns play distinct roles in perceived discrimination among dominant groups.

Publication Title

Group Processes and Intergroup Relations

Publication Date

2022

Volume

25

Issue

3

First Page

NP54

Last Page

NP80

ISSN

1368-4302

DOI

10.1177/13684302211053543

Keywords

entitlement, legitimizing beliefs, moral image threat, perceived discrimination, social dominance orientation, status threat

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