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Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, Vol. 9, No. 3,
307-324 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1368430206064636
© 2006 SAGE Publications
Thanks for the Compliment? Emotional Reactions to Group-Level Versus Individual-Level Compliments and Insults
Amber L. Garcia
Daniel A. Miller
Eliot R. Smith
Purdue University
Diane M. Mackie
University of California, Santa Barbara
The current research investigated participants' reactions to positive and negative comments directed toward them as individuals or as members of a social group. Using both perspective-taking (Studies 1 and 2) and actual interaction methodologies (Study 3), three studies found that participants generally responded negatively to negative comments regardless of the level of identity to which the comment was directed. Positive comments were generally viewed positively, except when the comment was directed at the group and was stereotype relevant. When the latter was the case, participants reported increased anger and desires to attack (and avoid) the speaker. Furthermore, these negative feelings and action tendencies were partially mediated by an attribution to prejudice to the speaker.
Key Words: compliments • intergroup emotions • prejudice
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