On the Overestimation of Between-group Differences

Abstract

The overestimation of between-group differences is a central characteristic of social stereotyping. The present review focuses on exemplar-based category learning. Evidence is presented for the assumptions that: (a) contrast effects need to be distinguished from accentuation effects; (b) both effects are general cognitive–perceptual phenomena; and (c) they affect stereotype formation as well as stereotype change. The implications of the overestimation of between-group differences for person perception and conflict resolution are discussed.