Positive Mood and the Perception of Variability Within and Between Groups

Authors

Steven J. Stroessner, Columbia UniversityFollow
Diane M. Mackie, University of California, Santa Barbara
Venezia Michalsen, Montclair State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1-1-2005

Journal / Book Title

Group Processes & Intergroup Relations

Abstract

Three experiments investigated the effects of positive mood on perceptions of variability within and between groups. Participants formed impressions of two different and highly variable groups under a neutral or positive mood. When participants expected to learn about both groups, positive mood increased perceived intergroup similarity but did not affect perceived intragroup variability. In contrast, when participants expected to learn about only one group, judgments of intergroup and intragroup similarity were both affected by mood. Mood and the intergroup context influenced the nature and degree of information processing and resultant judgments of variability in social groups.

DOI

10.1177/1368430205048619

MSU Digital Commons Citation

Stroessner, Steven J.; Mackie, Diane M.; and Michalsen, Venezia, "Positive Mood and the Perception of Variability Within and Between Groups" (2005). Department of Justice Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 134.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/justice-studies-facpubs/134

Published Citation

Stroessner, S. J., Mackie, D. M., & Michalsen, V. (2005). Positive Mood and the Perception of Variability Within and Between Groups. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 8(1), 5-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368430205048619