| Summary: | It was predicted that individuals with a high chronic need for structure (compared to
persons with low need for structure) exert more influence in the processes through
which individual perceptions of groups coalesce into consensual stereotypes. This
prediction emerges from the joint consideration of two hypotheses: (1) Need for
structure is hypothesized to influence the use of abstract language when talking
about others; (2) More abstract language is hypothesized to exert greater influence
on others' beliefs. Two elements of linguistic abstraction were examined: The extent
to which language implies characteristics of groups rather than merely characteristics
of individuals ("inclusiveness"); the extent to which language implies stable traits,
rather than merely episodic behaviors ("implied stability"). To test the hypotheses,
participants in dyads were presented with information about members of two novel
groups, and engaged in structured interpersonal communication about this
information. Study 1 tested the first hypothesis, and found no support. There was
no evidence that individual differences in Need for Structure influenced either the
"inclusiveness" or "implied stability" of interpersonal communication. Study 2 tested
the second hypothesis and found partial support. The "implied stability" of
communications had no effects on stereotype formation, but the "inclusiveness" of
communication did have an impact. Participants receiving more "inclusive"
communications formed more stereotypic beliefs. The latter effect emerged only on
stereotypic beliefs about negative characteristics, but not on stereotypes about
positive characteristics.
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