Project description
When rarity distorts reality
A few jobless neighbours could define the entire community, just like a rare crime could shape how we see an entire group. Vivid information carries more weight, but it is not clear why some traits last larger and longer. The ERC-funded AFM project aims to explore this through an attribute-frequency model, which considers how rarity and uncommon traits magnify perceived differences and contribute to inequality. While rare and often negative traits harden into stereotypes, common traits can foster a sense of sameness and blur distinctions. The project’s findings should help policymakers and media professionals reduce social bias.
Objective
I introduce the Attribute Frequency Model (AFM), a novel theoretical framework to explain biases in human social perception. The AFM posits that the frequency of observed individuals’ or groups’ attributes influences social perceptions of similarity, (in-)equality, and valence. Rare attributes amplify perceived differences, inequalities, and negativity among social groups, while frequent attributes emphasize similarities, equality, and positivity. The model assumes that humans lack the meta-cognitive capacity to account for attribute frequency during the formation of attitudes, judgments, and stereotypes. It predicts several biases in social perception that I will test empirically. People should perceive social groups as more different/unequal when considering rare attributes (e.g. being unemployed), and as more similar/equal when considering frequent attributes (e.g. being employed). Laypeople and experts may, therefore, demand action to decrease inequalities where it is most visible (among rare attributes) and not where it is most effective. Because rare attributes make group differences visible, people should prefer to process and communicate rare attributes of groups, and rare attributes will become stereotypes. This should result in a general overestimation of differences and inequalities among groups. Because rare attributes tend to be negative, most stereotypes should be negative, and a multiculturalism perspective that highlights group differences should lead to a more negative view of the social environment than a colorblind perspective. The anticipated findings are directly relevant to policymakers, organizations, and the media, providing actionable strategies to mitigate biases, improve communication, and design equitable policies. By addressing a fundamental cognitive challenge, the project promises to advance scientific understanding of social perception and to provide strategies to foster more accurate representations of social realities.
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Keywords
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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44801 Bochum
Germany
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