Shilkret, RobertSalvatore, JessicaYao, Beier2013-06-102013-06-102013-06-10http://hdl.handle.net/10166/3256This project aimed to add to the stereotype literature by providing a first look at the sources of meta-stereotype content and functions of meta-stereotyping in a novel intergroup setting: the Five College Consortium. Meta-stereotypes are the beliefs that members in one group hold about how their own group (in-group) is stereotyped by other groups (out-groups). Study 1 explored possible sources of meta-stereotypes through descriptive and correlational analysis. Study 2 was a functional analysis of meta-stereotyping. Data were collected from all five schools. Study 1 suggested that social status and inter-group competition and auto-stereotypes were both sources of meta-stereotypes. Study 2 found no direct support for the hypothesis that group members apply meta-stereotypes to themselves personally to fulfill their need for group distinctiveness, possibly due to the unsuccessful experimental manipulation. Implications for inter-group relations and possible alternative functions of meta-stereotyping were discussed.en-USAttribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United Statesstereotypemeta-stereotypeauto-stereotypeoptimal distinctivenessinter-group relationsThesispublic