Attributional mediation of in-group bias

The goal of this research was to examine the mediational role of attributional processes in in-group biases among B lacks and Whites. We conducted an experiment in which participants were asked to evaluate a Black or White job applicant and to make attributions for the fact that the applicant was fired or laid off from a previous job. Both Blacks and Whites demonstrated in-group-favoring biases in attributions and evaluations. Importantly, attributional biases mediated in-group-favoring evaluations of the applicant. These results highlight the importance of focusing on mechanisms other than out-group prejudice and hostility to explain people's consistent preferential treatment of in-group members. (C) 2001 Academic Press.