Abstract
Research which has examined the link between intergroup discrimination and self-esteem has revealed a series of contradictory and inconsistent findings. This we argue is because such work has tended to use artificial groups, global measures of self-esteem and neglected to measure self-esteem prior to and following intergroup discrimination. The current investigation sought to overcome these difficulties by utilizing realistic groups, assessing domain-specific self-esteem before and after the display of intergroup discrimination. The results show that when Protestants and Catholics shown discrimination against one another, the esteem in which they hold specific self-images is enhanced. Significant increases in the esteem which respondents held their feelings of honesty, academic ability, verbal ability, physical appearance, religion and parental relations was enhanced. Global self-esteem was unaffected by intergroup discrimination. These findings support the use of the methodology adopted in the current investigation. The results indicate that, contrary to the predictions of some authors, self-esteem remains an outcome of intergroup discrimination.