Neither Here Nor There: Increasing Generalized Tolerance via Novel Polycultural Category Combinations

Abstract

Negative stereotyping toward different out-groups is closely correlated, but little research has investigated the ability to promote generalized tolerance across these many out-groups. This thesis developed and tested a new cognitive intervention that utilizes a heuristic-switching mindset to achieve generalized tolerance, based on past research regarding social categorization. By presenting perceivers with unexpected cultural category combinations (e.g., a person from both Ghana and Japan), we proposed that the inability to properly categorize a polycultural person into a single category would promote more individuated thinking relative to other multicultural and unicultural people. This would also prime perceivers into generally thinking more positively about specific other out-groups (e.g., the elderly, the disabled, illegal immigrants), as demonstrated by increasing their evaluation on a warmth-competence scale. Findings showed that polycultural profiles were modestly effective at increasing generalized tolerance and reducing prejudice. More research is needed to clearly establish its overall benefits. Keywords: polyculture, multiculturalism, egalitarianism, heuristic-switching mindset, multiple social categorization, social identification