American Institutional Stereotypes: A Pilot Investigation of Factor Structure

Abstract

Objective: We probed the structure of citizens’ perceived attributes (stereotypes) of American institutions, assuming this might replicate stereotyping of social groups (“warmth” versus “competence”).

Methods: We applied factor structure and configural invariance tests to two online studies asking Americans how “most Americans” would rate intentions and capacities on 65 and 20 attributes, respectively, of “government,” “business,” and “nonprofits” (Study 1), or of “government agencies,” “corporations,” and “nonprofit advocacy groups” (both studies).

Results: Mostly two factors — beneficial and harmful attributes — appeared, with beneficial attributes (e.g., is warm and good natured, represents central values of society) invariant for both intentions and capacity across institutions. Other attributes varied across dimensions (e.g., pursues own self-interest), and/or across institutions (e.g., contributes to a better world).

Conclusion: American institutional stereotypes exhibited an unexpectedly invariant structure based on beneficial versus harmful attributes, which can inform research on how people evaluate (e.g., trust) specific organizations within institutions.