REVERSAL OF THE BLACK SHEEP EFFECT 1 Running head: REVERSAL OF THE BLACK SHEEP EFFECT Not as black as one of 'them': Positive ingroup valence reverses the Black Sheep Effect

Judgments about individual group members are often colored by judgments about the entire group. Through such an assimilation effect, an individual norm violator from a positively evaluated group, for example an ingroup, can be expected to be evaluated less negatively than an outgroup norm violator. This hypothesis however contrasts with evidence that ingroup norm violators are often derogated compared to outgroup norm violators, a phenomenon known as the Black Sheep Effect (BSE). The discussion of differences between the explanations of these opposite predictions (assimilation vs. BSE) lead us to the prediction that assimilation (and not a BSE) occurs if the ingroup adheres more to the societal norm than the outgroup and thus conveys positive valence to which an ingroup deviant evaluation is assimilated. This predicted pattern was indeed found in Study 1 and replicated in Study 2. Additionally, Study 2 provides evidence that this effect is, consistent with the present theorizing, mediated by group valence. The current research suggests that a BSE can be eliminated or even reversed by assimilation effects – a suggestion that is in line with other differentiations in the literature regarding the circumstances under which a BSE, no difference, or even ingroup favoritism occurs. (195 words)