Several studies have consistently demonstrated a positive-negative asymmetry in intergroup discrimination. As a possible explanation for this effect, the authors investigated whether stimulus valence has an impact on the salience of social categorization, which, in turn, is assumed to determine the degree of intergroup differentiation. It was hypothesized that the confrontation with negative stimuli instigates a change in the level of inclusiveness of self-categorization, inhibiting the differentiation based on the initial social categorization. Two studies with factors valence (positive, negative) and salience (low, high) were conducted to test these assumptions. Results were encouraging with respect to a category-based explanation of the valence effects on social discrimination. Implications of these findings for classical theories on behavior in minimal intergroup situations are discussed.
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