Effect of ingroup favoritism as a norm on intergroup behavior in minimal group paradigm

In the context of intergroup relations, individuals are known to be sensitive to the normative expectations of their ingroup and group norms of an injunctive nature can shape discriminative attitudes and behaviors. Although the effect of ingroup norms on ingroup favoritism has been widely discussed in the literature, the role of outgroup norms in this social process has received limited attention This study was designed to examine the potential effect of both ingroup and outgroup injunctive norms regarding favoritism on ingroup-favoring attitudes and behaviors. To explore this potential effect, ingroup and outgroup norms were manipulated to either imply an expectation of favoritism or no favoritism and their impact on ingroup bias was examined experimentally through minimal group paradigm. A total of 95 university students were expected to choose their group membership to one of the two minimal groups represented by colors. Participants were randomly assigned to a control group or one of four experimental conditions: (1) both groups expect favoritism, (2) only the ingroup expects favoritism, (3) only the outgroup expects favoritism, and (4) neither group expects favoritism. Ingroup favoritism was evaluated on the behavioral level through point allocations using Tajfel matrices, and pull scores derived from these matrices were used to compare different allocation strategies. Attitude dimension of ingroup bias was assessed through positive trait ratings of ingroup and outgroup members. The results indicated that both ingroup and outgroup norms can have a significant influence on ingroup bias. When the ingroup was expected to favor its own members, behavioral favoritism increased, and participants were more likely to employ discriminatory strategies that are not as rational, even at the expense of their own group's profit to maximize intergroup difference Although to a more limited degree, similar discriminatory patterns were observed when the outgroup was expected to show ingroup bias. In terms of attitudinal measures, while the ingroup norm had no significant effect, outgroup norm that expects favoritism resulted in increased ingroup favoritism. Findings from the current study suggest that outgroup norms, in addition to ingroup norms, can shape ingroup favoritism.