In a variety of cultures, the term Black Sheep has come to mean outcast, disreputable, or undesirable group member -- especially within a family. Within human groups, the so-called Black Sheep often acquires his or her low group status from one or two thought leaders. These leaders determine the unspoken values and rules for a family or group.4 Resigned to their status as the odd one out, many Black Sheep wear the label and selectively distance themselves from the group that devalues them. The Black Sheep Effect refers to the psychological phenomenon of judging members of our group more extremely than those who are not group members. Thus, a disliked group member is judged more harshly than people who are not part of the group.5 For example, youd be more tolerant of your flower child Aunt Suzie if she werent related to you. We want group members to fit in because their behavior reflects on our own identity. And family members who stand out from the group attract negative attention. When wayward members dont comply with unspoken rules, there can be hell to pay: scorn, ridicule, and alienation. These are often attempts to bring the noncompliant member back in line with the dominant values of the group. Not B-a-a-a-a-d ... But Different
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 05:42:34 +0000