Abstract
This study examined how the cognition of one's own social power in a group influences the perception of group variability among group members. A survey based on random sampling was conducted of the residents of a ward in Tokyo. The results showed that the more people thought about influences of their own power on other members in in-groups, the more they (a) perceived that their self was important, (b) felt appreciated by other members, and (c) felt a greater psychological distance from their fellow group members. Furthermore, the psychological distance from those members enhanced the perception of in-group variability. Implications for the study of group perception in intragroup contexts were discussed.
