Comparative processes in personal and group judgments: Resolving the discrepancy

The judgment mechanisms underlying personal- and group-level ratings of discrimination and privilege were investigated in high- and low-status groups. A consistent personal-group discrepancy is found for discrimination and privilege but is not due to personal differentiation from the group. Instead, personal and group ratings are based on different comparison standards and levels of self (personal vs. social identity); personal motives influence personal ratings, and social motivations influence group ratings. This analysis is supported by contrasting the traditional discrepancy score with a direct comparison measure (Study 2) and by showing the sensitivity of group ratings (but not personal ratings) to group audience and degree of group identification (Studies 3 and 4). Studying the different meanings communicated with personal and group ratings provides more insight into the dimensions of deprivation than do analyses of discrepancy scores.