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How groups react to disloyalty in the context of intergroup competition: Evaluations of group deserters and defectors

Travaglino, Giovanni A., Abrams, Dominic, Randsley de Moura, Georgina, Marques, Jose M., Pinto, Isabel R. (2014) How groups react to disloyalty in the context of intergroup competition: Evaluations of group deserters and defectors. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 54 . pp. 178-187. ISSN 0022-1031. (doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2014.05.006) (KAR id:41465)

Abstract

Groups strongly value loyalty, especially in the context of intergroup competition. However, research has yet to investigate how groups respond to members who leave the group or join a competing outgroup. Three studies investigated groups' reactions to defectors (Experiment 1) and deserting members (Experiments 2 and 3). Experiment 1 used a minimal group paradigm to demonstrate that defectors trigger a stronger derogation of ingroup deviants than outgroup deviants vis-à-vis normative members. Experiments 2 and 3 compared group members' responses to defection versus desertion from minimal and self-assigned groups, respectively. Experiment 3 also explored an explanation for the evaluations of disloyalty. Across studies, participants evaluated normative ingroup members more positively than defectors and deserters. Outgroup deserting and defecting members were evaluated similarly. Derogation of ingroup as compared to outgroup targets emerged only for defectors. In addition, Experiment 3 demonstrated that negativity toward the outgroup was related to stronger derogation of disloyal targets. Negative outgroup attitudes trigger stricter criteria for responding to disloyalty. Directions for future research are discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.jesp.2014.05.006
Uncontrolled keywords: Desertion; Defectors; Black sheep effect; Loyalty; Intergroup relations; Intragroup relations, Social Psychology
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Georgina Randsley de Moura
Date Deposited: 18 Jun 2014 12:17 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 06:15 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/41465 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Travaglino, Giovanni A..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4091-0634
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Abrams, Dominic.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-4572
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Randsley de Moura, Georgina.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-6128
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
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