Do our mistakes affect me? Effect of negative information in ingroup identification and self-esteem1

Abstract

Classical theories on cognitive consistency have recently been explored not only as intraindividual processes, but influenced by group aspects. Given the human tendency to personal and group enhancement and the unified theory of implicit social cognition, negative information about the ingroup has the potential of generating inconsistency through cognitive dissonance and imbalance. To test the protective functions of cognitive consistency considering the threats to the positive evaluation of the ingroup, 156 participants underwent pre- and post-test of self-esteem and by neutral or threat experimental manipulation. There was no significant difference in participants’ self-esteem nor in their affective state. In experimental groups, although behaviors were pointed as negative, many claimed to be cunning and the jeitinho brasileiro (the Brazilian way of doing things). Research on dissonance point that, when the object of counterattidudinal writing is a cultural norm, the effects of dissonance and the possibility of change in attitude are minimized. Results will be discussed.