ABSTRACT
Experimental tests of hypotheses from the integrative model of negative evaluations as informational and affective are reported in Part B of this chapter. A method of experimenter- inserted evaluations was used in the two studies that are reported. The first study directly demonstrates the mimetic process described in socioemotional climates. This study shows that under conditions of low threat to individual status, group members exchanged more of either positive or negative evaluations that were inserted by the experimenter. Effects were greater for inserted negative evaluations than for positive evaluations. The second study differentiates (1) negative evaluations that a group member directly receives from those that this member observes other members receive and (2) the imputed source of the evaluations as either a high- or low-status group member. Results of this study show that in comparison with a control condition, increases in inserted negative evaluations increase the number of negative evaluations exchanged. There is also an interaction between observed versus personal negative evaluations and status of the source that is consistent with a social cost account. When evaluations were personally received from a high-status member, they resulted in fewer negative evaluations than evaluations that were observed from either high- or low-status sources.
