This study examines the interpersonal nature of social stereotypes by investigating the extent to which stereotypic representations are conveyed in discussions about in-groups and out-groups. Same-sex dyads held discussions about their gender in-group and out-group. Discussion content was evaluated by two methods. First, a content analysis revealed that out-group discussions contained more group-level, and fewer self-referent, comments than in-group discussions. Also, the negative comments about the out-group were given as global, group-level comments more so than about specific out-group members (negative comments about the in-group did not differ across level of inclusiveness). Second, new participants rated the overall quality of the discussion transcripts. Discussions about out-groups were rated as more stereotypic and expressing more negative affect than in group discussions. Through these analyses, evidence for the expression of stereotypic representations of out-groups in interpersonal settings was found.
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