Chip on the shoulder? The hunchback heuristic predicts the attribution of anger to low status groups and calm to high status groups

Across societies, there is a tendency to associate members of low status groups with anger, and to associate members of high status groups with calm (i.e., the hunchback heuristic), but there is no empirical documentation for this notion. Thus, in a pilot study (N = 30) we validated stimuli that we generated to test for the existence of a hunchback stereotype, and distinguished the two interstatus contexts of skin-shade and race in terms of social status: Dark-skinned Indians (Blacks) were perceived as lower in social status compared to light-skinned Indians (Whites). Using a multi-method comprising an IAT-like protocol and explicit self-report measures, Study 2 (N = 80) revealed that perceivers associated dark-skinned Indians with anger, and light skinned Indians with calm: An effect that was explained by perceived social status. Study 3 (N = 114) corroborated the evidence in Study 2, but in the interstatus contexts of Black vs. White, and Large men vs. slim men. Black men (and large men) were associated with anger, and White men (and slim men) were associated with calm. Additionally, Study 3 ruled out 'prejudice' as a possible explanation for these trends. We conclude with an outline of the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.