In-Group Favoritism

Definition

In-group favoritism is the tendency for individuals to show preference and give more positive treatment to members of their own social group or category over those belonging to other groups. This bias stems from the human propensity to form strong attachments and loyalties to the groups we belong to, often at the expense of fairness and objectivity towards outsiders.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In-group favoritism is a key component of prejudice and discrimination, as it leads to unfair treatment and negative attitudes towards outgroup members.
2. The tendency for in-group favoritism is believed to have evolutionary origins, as it helped early human groups survive and thrive by promoting cooperation and cohesion within the group.
3. In-group favoritism can manifest in various ways, such as allocating more resources, opportunities, and positive attention to ingroup members, and being more lenient in judging their mistakes.
4. Research has shown that in-group favoritism can occur even in minimal group situations, where individuals are randomly assigned to groups with no prior interaction or shared identity.
5. Overcoming in-group favoritism is a significant challenge in promoting social harmony and fairness, as it requires individuals to consciously overcome their natural biases and treat all people equally, regardless of group membership.

Review Questions

• Explain how in-group favoritism is related to prejudice and discrimination.
  • In-group favoritism is a key component of prejudice and discrimination, as it leads individuals to hold more positive attitudes and show preferential treatment towards members of their own social group or category, while simultaneously holding more negative attitudes and behaving less favorably towards those who belong to different, or 'outgroups'. This bias can manifest in various ways, such as allocating more resources, opportunities, and positive attention to ingroup members, and being more lenient in judging their mistakes. In-group favoritism is a significant barrier to promoting social harmony and fairness, as it requires individuals to consciously overcome their natural biases and treat all people equally, regardless of group membership.
• Describe the evolutionary origins and psychological basis of in-group favoritism.
  • The tendency for in-group favoritism is believed to have evolutionary origins, as it helped early human groups survive and thrive by promoting cooperation and cohesion within the group. According to social identity theory, individuals derive a sense of identity, self-worth, and belonging from the social groups they are a part of, leading to a strong preference for and loyalty towards their ingroup. This psychological need to maintain a positive social identity and belong to a group can result in individuals exhibiting more positive attitudes and behaviors towards their ingroup members, while simultaneously holding more negative views and treating outgroup members less favorably.
• Evaluate the challenges and strategies for overcoming in-group favoritism in promoting social harmony and fairness.
  • Overcoming in-group favoritism is a significant challenge in promoting social harmony and fairness, as it requires individuals to consciously overcome their natural biases and treat all people equally, regardless of group membership. Research has shown that in-group favoritism can occur even in minimal group situations, where individuals are randomly assigned to groups with no prior interaction or shared identity, suggesting that the tendency for in-group bias is deeply rooted in human psychology. Strategies for overcoming in-group favoritism may include fostering greater intergroup contact and cooperation, promoting a superordinate identity that transcends group boundaries, and encouraging individuals to critically examine their own biases and make conscious efforts to treat all people fairly. Ultimately, addressing in-group favoritism is crucial for creating a more just and equitable society, but it remains a persistent challenge that requires ongoing effort and vigilance.

Related terms

Ingroup: The social group or category that an individual identifies with and feels a sense of belonging and loyalty towards.

Outgroup: The social group or category that an individual does not belong to and may view with less positivity or even hostility.

Social Identity Theory:

A theory that explains how individuals derive a sense of identity, self-worth, and belonging from the social groups they are a part of, leading to in-group favoritism.