Nouns Cut Slices: Effects of Linguistic Forms on Intergroup Bias

Three studies examined the effect of nouns and adjectives for designations of nationality on intergroup bias. In Study 1, participants (N = 237) evaluated group artifacts whose authors’ nationality was labeled with nouns or adjectives. Use of nouns enhanced ingroup favoritism, manifested as a preference of the ingroup artifact. Study 2 (N = 431) tested the effect of nouns and adjectives on attitudes towards the ingroup and outgroup focusing on the moderating role of ingroup identification. Use of nouns led to a stronger relative preference of the ingroup, pronounced especially in low identified group members. Study 3 (N = 979) examined the effect of nouns and adjectives in a more applied survey setting. Intergroup bias concerning material restitution for confiscated property was stronger when the ethnicity of the former owners was labeled with nouns. The article emphasizes that subtle variation in language use has a consistent impact on intergroup evaluation.