Eliminating the effects of a status characteristic. [TR 45]

The authors propose a theory in which status generalization from a diffuse status characteristic such as age, race or gender can be eliminated by introducing contradictory information about a specific status characteristic such as task ability. They conducted an experimental test of the theory and found confirmation. The conclusions here differ from results of other experiments in which all status information combined and none was eliminated (including TR#32 and TR#35), and from the aggregation function proposed in the developing theory of status characteristics and expectation states (Berger et al. 1974; 1977). Balkwell (WP 100-1 and 1991) reanalyzed this experiment and concluded that, properly classified, these data show combining, not elimination. This TR was published by the authors (1973).

Revised: "Eliminating Status Generalization." Published in Sociometry 36: 177-193.

[Abstract by Murray Webster, 2014.]