Chip on the shoulder? The hunchback heuristic predicts the attribution of anger to low status groups and calm to high status groups

Abstract

Across societies, there is a tendency to associate members of low status groups with anger, and to associate members of high status groups with calm (i.e. the hunchback heuristic), but there is no empirical documentation for this phenomenon. Thus, in a pilot study (N = 30) we validated the stimuli that we generated to test the existence of a hunchback stereotype by distinguishing two interstatus contexts of skin-shade and race in terms of social status: Dark-skinned Indians (and Blacks) were perceived as lower in social status compared to light-skinned Indians (and Whites). Using a multi-method approach comprising an IAT-like protocol and explicit self-reports, Study 2 (N = 80) revealed that perceivers associated dark-skinned Indians with anger, and light-skinned Indians with calm: An effect that was explained by perceived social status. Study 3 (N = 114) corroborated the evidence from Study 2, but in the interstatus contexts of Blacks vs. Whites, and large men vs. slim men. Blacks (and large men) were associated with anger, and Whites (and slim men) were associated with calm. Additionally, Study 3 ruled out “racial prejudice” as an explanation for these trends. We conclude with an outline of the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.

Keywords

• hunchback stereotypes
• malaysia
• identity
• prejudice
• social status