Examining the root of intergroup sensitivity: What is the norm underlying defensive reactions to criticism?

Abstract

Criticism is important for change and growth and is a common component of group-level interactions. One variable that influences how people react to criticism is the group membership of the person delivering it. Both targets and bystanders of critical comments respond with more sensitivity and defensiveness to intergroup criticism (i.e., criticism between groups) relative to intragroup criticism (i.e., criticism within a group), termed the Intergroup Sensitivity Effect (ISE). In this paper, we seek to explain why the ISE occurs, refining previous arguments that intergroup criticizers violate a norm. Research on prejudice, intergroup trust, intergroup cooperation, and the pragmatics of politeness and cooperation are referenced to inform a novel Norm Perspective explanation of the ISE. This perspective suggests that there is a general prescriptive cooperation norm that is violated when outgroup members criticize other groups. Namely, the combination of intergroup criticism that does not follow cooperation and politeness pragmatic principles as well as suspicion toward outgroup member motives leads to a perception of uncooperative behavior. We then review previously used strategies for decreasing the ISE in the context of this proposed cooperative norm. Future directions for testing this theory and implications for ISE reduction strategies are discussed.