Prejudice as self-image maintenance: Affirming the self through derogating others.

Fein, Steven; Spencer, Steven J.

doi:10.1037/0022-3514.73.1.31

Cited by 1,047Social and Intergroup PsychologyDeath Anxiety and Social ExclusionPersonality Traits and Psychology

Prejudice as self-image maintenance: Affirming the self through derogating others.

Fein, Steven, Spencer, Steven J.·1997·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

DOI 10.1037/0022-3514.73.1.31

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Abstract

The authors argue that self-image maintenance processes play an important role in stereotyping and prejudice. Three studies demonstrated that when individuals evaluated a member of a stereotyped group, they were less likely to evaluate that person negatively if their self-images had been bolstered through a self-affirmation procedure, and they were more likely to evaluate that person stereotypically if their self-images had been threatened by negative feedback.' Moreover, among those individuals whose self-image had been threatened, derogating a stereotyped target mediated an increase in their self-esteem. The authors suggest that stereotyping and prejudice may be a common means to maintain one's self-image, and they discuss the role of self-image-maintenance processes in the context of motivational, sociocultural, and cognitive approaches to stereotyping and prejudice.

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Empirical evidence supports the expectation that outgroup derogation elevates self-esteem because it increases the chance of achieving positive evaluation of the ingroup.
“Indeed, empirical evidence supports the expectation that outgroup derogation elevates self-esteem because it increases the chance of achieving positive evaluation of the ingroup (Fein & Spencer, 1997;Rubin & Hewstone, 1998).”
From Collective Narcissism: Political Consequences of Investing Self‐Worth in the Ingroup’s Image (2019) · cites this paper as Fein & Spencer, 1997

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“Indeed, empirical evidence supports the expectation that outgroup derogation elevates self-esteem because it increases the chance of achieving positive evaluation of the ingroup (Fein & Spencer, 1997; Rubin & Hewstone, 1998).”
Background
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Authors: Fein, S., & Spencer, S. J.
Affiliations: Williams College (US)
ORCID: Spencer, Steven J.
Venue: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 1997-07
Volume: 73
Issue: 1
Pages: 31-44
ISSN: 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
1939-1315
DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.73.1.31
OpenAlex: W1982406605
Cited by: 1,047
References: 14
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 49 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 57 · 2012: 70
FWCI: 40.96
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Keywords: self-affirmation, self-esteem, prejudice, stereotyping, derogation, negative feedback, intergroup evaluation

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Prejudice as self-image maintenance: Affirming the self through derogating others.

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