Dissonance within the social self: Exploring the effects of norm conflict between ingroups – Experiment 1

Most people are members of different groups. The norms of these groups can be contradicting, leading to dissonance within the social self. This form of dissonance is based solely on individuals’ membership in ingroups with conflicting norms. Building on Social Identity Theory and Cognitive Dissonance Theory, we assume that norm conflict between ingroups increases psychological discomfort, particularly for people who are highly identified with both ingroups. We will test mechanisms to cope with norm conflict between ingroups, namely lowering the credibility of the norm conflict information and/or norm prototypicality as well as as well as compartmentalization and the restorative function of agentic groups. The experiment will include N = 800 participants. Norm conflict will be manipulated by showing participants the results of a bogus survey, indicating that their ingroups agree or disagree on a moral dilemma.

Most people are members of different groups. The norms of these groups can be contradicting, leading to dissonance within the social self. This form of dissonance is based solely individuals’ membership in ingroups with conflicting norms. Building on Social Identity Theory and Cognitive Dissonance Theory, we assume that norm conflict between ingroups increases psychological discomfort, particularly for people who are highly identified with both ingroups. We will test mechanisms to cope with norm conflict between ingroups, namely lowering the credibility of the norm conflict information and/or norm prototypicality as well as disidentification. The experiment only includes participants with a neutral attitude towards the norm topic at stake, thus ensuring that dissonance stems purely from an inconsistency between ingroups’ norms. Norm conflict will be manipulated by showing participants the results of a bogus survey, indicating that their ingroups agree or disagree on the topic of self-driving cars.