Understanding Latinos’ Responses to Ingroup Members’ Claims of Discrimination

Event Center BC

Previous research has found that both group identification (GID) and status legitimizing beliefs (SLB) predict individuals’ responses to claims of discrimination. Among low status individuals, GID is associated with more positive evaluations and support for in-group members who claim discrimination; however, SLBs among low status individuals are associated with decreased support for in-group claimants, as their claims threaten the stability of the status hierarchy. Across two studies, we examine the interaction between these conflicting motivations and reactions to in-group members who claim discrimination. In Study 1, we find that GID predicts support for the claimant only when SLBs are low. In Study 2, we prime SLBs and find that GID is only predictive of support when SLBs are not primed. Results suggest that SLBs override GID among Latinos in response to discrimination claimants. Implications for group identification and status legitimacy are discussed.