In spite of their subtle nature, subliminal cues of group devaluation can have profound effects on members of targeted groups. Across three studies, we examine factors that allow people to counteract subliminal cues of group devaluation. We do this in the context of Spanish–German intergroup relations following the 2008 financial crisis. Throughout the crisis, narratives in politics and the media have drawn on national stereotypes to legitimize the economic situation in Spain. We argue that this represents a threat to our Spanish participants and that exposure to subliminal cues that reflect this threat will trigger responses that counteract this threat. Indeed, results showed that when subliminal associations legitimize the disadvantage faced by the group, our Spanish participants reversed the subliminal associations to which they were exposed. These findings show that Spanish participants are able to counteract the devaluation of their national in-group, even when that devaluation occurs outside of conscious awareness.

中文翻译：

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抵消威胁国家认同的潜意识线索

尽管具有微妙的性质，但群体贬低的潜意识暗示会对目标群体的成员产生深远的影响。在三项研究中，我们检查了允许人们抵消群体贬值的潜意识线索的因素。我们在 2008 年金融危机后的西班牙-德国集团间关系的背景下这样做。在整个危机期间，政治和媒体的叙述都利用了国家的刻板印象，使西班牙的经济状况合法化。我们认为这对我们的西班牙参与者构成了威胁，并且暴露于反映这种威胁的潜意识线索将触发抵消这种威胁的反应。事实上，结果表明，当潜意识联想使该群体面临的劣势合法化时，我们的西班牙参与者逆转了他们所接触到的潜意识联想。这些研究结果表明，西班牙参与者能够抵消他们国家内群体的贬值，即使这种贬值发生在有意识的意识之外。