Robert Merton suggested that some white Americans who praise Abraham Lincoln for being frugal and thrifty might describe an Asian American with the same qualities as being stingy and penny pinching.What explains this double standard?
A) Standards of behavior considered appropriate in Lincoln's time are now looked down upon because of historical change.
B) Lincoln was miserly, but he is remembered differently because American textbooks are not permitted to say negative things about presidents.
C) Lincoln was a truly remarkable individual who acted in these ways for selfless reasons, something everyday people can't hope to do.
D) For these white Americans, Lincoln was a member of their racial in-group, whereas an Asian American would be a member of an out-group.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The double standard can be explained by ingroup/outgroup bias. The white Americans may view Lincoln as a member of their racial in-group and therefore attribute positive qualities to him, while viewing the Asian American as a member of an out-group and thus attributing negative qualities to them. This is a result of social categorization and can lead to stereotypes and prejudice.

Robert Merton Suggested That Some White Americans Who Praise Abraham