Examining Similarity‐Attraction Principle and Intergroup Conflict on Malevolent Creativity Ideation

Bibliographic Data

ID7170750
AuthorsAlexis L D’amato (0000-0001-7418-7929, Industrial and Organizational Psychology University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha Nebraska USA, corresponding author), Emma Theobald (Industrial and Organizational Psychology University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha Nebraska USA), Madison N Scott (Industrial and Organizational Psychology University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha Nebraska USA), J S Elson (0000-0003-4227-1274, University of Nebraska at Omaha), Samuel T Hunter (0000-0002-2036-7681, Industrial and Organizational Psychology University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha Nebraska USA)
Year2025
Volume59
Issue2
Publication date2025-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Creative Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0022-0175 • E-ISSN: 2162-6057
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jocb.70027
OpenAlexW4410405232
LanguageEN
References cited62

Through the lens of the similarity‐attraction principle, we conducted a pair of studies to examine how perceived physical similarity influences the role similarity and ingroup affinity drives malevolent creativity ideation. Study 1 ( N = 305) participants were assigned to teams using the minimal group paradigm and then were given a social threat scenario by an avatar teammate of varying physical demographics (e.g., gender, race, age). Findings suggest that ingroup affinity and perceptions of physical dissimilarity motivate harmful ideas for retaliation against the threat. Study 2 ( N = 73) used an existing conflict between rival university teams and presented participants with a social threat scenario. Participants interacted with a virtual avatar with varying degrees of similarity to themselves. Results indicate that ingroup favoritism motivated both original and harmful ideas, whereas dissimilarity with a teammate was a stronger predictor of harmful ideas than similarity. These findings are further discussed through the lens of balance theory and attitudinal similarity

Attraction · Cognitive science · Creativity · Group conflict · Ideation · Linguistics · Similarity (geometry) · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Creativity in Education and Neuroscience · Cultural Differences and Values · Mathematics · Personality Traits and Psychology · Philosophy · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access