What is in-group bias?

In-group bias refers to the phenomenon where individuals tend to have a more positive view of themselves and others in their own group, while having a more negative view of those outside of their group. This bias can lead to unfair treatment and discrimination against people who are not part of the in-group.

A company may be more likely to hire someone who attended the same university as the hiring manager, simply because they share a common affiliation. This is an example of in-group bias, where the hiring manager is giving preferential treatment to someone in their in-group.

In-group bias can be observed in various aspects of life, including social interactions, hiring decisions, and political affiliations. It can also be used to explain why people may be more likely to trust and cooperate with those who share similar characteristics or beliefs.

One common misconception is that in-group bias is only present in extreme or prejudiced individuals. However, research has shown that in-group bias is a common phenomenon that can affect anyone, regardless of their level of prejudice or bias.

The concept of in-group bias was first introduced by social psychologist Henri Tajfel in the 1970s, as part of his social identity theory. Since then, it has been widely studied and recognized as a fundamental aspect of human social behavior.