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Intergroup Comparisons within the Context of Nested Self-Categorizations: Effects of Regional and National Comparisons on the Acceptance of the European Union

University of Mannheim, Germany, mriketta{at}psychologie.uni-mannheim.de

The effects of intergroup comparisons on the acceptance (i.e. identification with and evaluation) of a superordinate group were examined. Sardinian students were assigned to four conditions, in which either regional and national comparisons within the European Union (EU), national comparisons across the EU border, or interpersonal comparisons were induced. As predicted, EU acceptance was lower after intergroup than interpersonal comparisons. Only little support was found for the prediction that EU acceptance was lower after within-EU than border-crossing comparisons. Moreover, correlational results pointed to the mediating role of perceived intergroup distinctiveness. Implications for research are discussed.

Key Words: European integration • self-categorization • social comparison • social identification

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