This study explored the effect of different performance conditions upon the occurrence of the black sheep effect. It is expected that a poorly performing ingroup member would be evaluated less positively than an equally poorly performing outgroup member, whereas a well performing ingroup member would be evaluated more positively than an equally well performing outgroup member (i.e., the black sheep hypothesis). This pattern is expected only when no information is given concerning the nature of the performance circumstances. When subjects are informed that the performance circumstances were unfavourable, attributional processes can become activated resulting in a pattern of evaluations that differs from the one suggested by the black sheep hypothesis. Our results revealed indeed that information on the nature of the performance condition, influences the occurrence of the black sheep effect.