ABSTRACT
According to Tajfel (1969, 1982), the act of social categorization leads to the accentuation of intergroup differences and intragroup similarities, thereby increasing the exchangeability of members of the same category and decreasing the similarities between members of different categories. Research on this accentuation principle soon revealed an interesting asymmetry in favour of outgroup homogeneity. That is, people judge members of outgroups as more similar to one another than they do members of ingroups. Perceptions of group homogeneity have implications for individual group members. Members of groups that are perceived as homogeneous may be viewed as exemplifying the group’s central tendency, especially in the absence of individuating information. People may thereby feel justified in letting themselves be guided by stereotypical beliefs about the group in question in judging and behaving toward individual group members.
