Investigating the Evolution of Ingroup Favoritism Using a Minimal Group Interaction Paradigm: The Effects of Inter- and Intragroup Interdependence

We investigated the effect of structural interdependencies between groups (especially inequality), and interdependencies between individuals on ingroup favoritism in minimal group situations. Previous research has attempted to determine whether ingroup favoritism is produced by categorization or int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2016-11, Vol.11 (11), p.e0165974-e0165974
Main Authors: Durrheim, Kevin, Quayle, Michael, Tredoux, Colin G, Titlestad, Kim, Tooke, Larry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altruism
Analysis
Analysis of Variance
Bias
Biological Evolution
Biology and Life Sciences
Classification
Cooperation
Ethnocentrism
Evolution
Favoritism
Female
Group dynamics
Group Processes
Humans
Inequality
Interpersonal Relations
Investigations
Male
Norms
Physical Sciences
Prejudice
Reciprocation
Researchers
Social aspects
Social identity
Social interaction
Social networks
Social psychology
Social Sciences
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
Time Factors
Young Adult
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Summary:We investigated the effect of structural interdependencies between groups (especially inequality), and interdependencies between individuals on ingroup favoritism in minimal group situations. Previous research has attempted to determine whether ingroup favoritism is produced by categorization or intragroup interdependencies (reciprocation expectations), but recent literature suggests that it is not possible to tease these influences apart. We report two studies that investigate how ingroup favoritism evolves over time in social interaction. The levels of ingroup favoritism were affected by categorization and inequality, and the level of ingroup favoritism changed over time, increasing or decreasing depending on the nature of the initial intergroup structure. We conclude by providing two explanations for this change: emergent norms, and changes to the intergroup situation produced by interaction. Our experiments confirm the value of studying the evolution of minimal group behavior, especially for explaining why low status groups act to preserve intergroup inequalities.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0165974