Lack of control leads to less stereotypic perceptions of groups: An individual difference perspective

Abstract

One study was conducted to analyze the effect of perceived control over one’s life on group perception. Participants were presented with abstract and exemplar information regarding a group of 100 lawyers and answered a questionnaire with questions regarding group perception and perceived control. Considering thatlack of control leads to effortful information seeking, it was expected, and found that participants who perceived less control over their lives perceived the group of lawyers in a less stereotypic and more variable way than participants who perceived more control overtheir lives. This result is in line with results showing that lack of control leads to increased perceived group variability. The role of motivation on group perceptionis discussed.