On-Line and Memory-Based Processes in Group Variability Judgments

The conclusion that variability judgments are predominantly memory-based for models of group variability judgments is discussed.

Abstract

Are group variability judgments made in an on-line or memory-based fashion? In a first experiment addressing this question, subjects made judgments of a group's variability, a judgment intended to be on-line (liking), or a judgment intended to be memory-based (religiousness). Variability judgments were made more slowly than on-line judgments and at the same speed as memory-based judgments. Independently of this effect, in-group variability was judged more rapidly than out-group variability. In addition to replicating these results, a second experiment using a minimal group paradigm demonstrated that the amount of similarity information recalled predicted both the latency and extremity of variability judgments. We discuss the implications of our conclusion that variability judgments are predominantly memory-based for models of group variability judgments.