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The Common Ingroup Identity Model: Recategorization and the Reduction of Intergroup Bias

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Abstract

This chapter introduces the common ingroup identity model as a means of reducing intergroup bias. This model proposes that bias can be reduced by factors that transform members' perceptions of group boundaries from “us” and “them” to a more inclusive “we”. From this perspective, several features specified by the contact hypothesis (e.g. co-operative interaction) facilitate more harmonious intergroup interactions, at least in part, because they contribute to the development of a common ingroup identity. In this chapter, we describe laboratory and field studies that are supportive of the model; we also relate the model to earlier work on aversive racism.
... For example, a person can identify as a citizen of Belgrade, and that categorization will, per se, be encompassed by the category of citizens of Serbia. The hierarchical structure of the intermediate categorization is present in the Common ingroup identity model of intergroup bias reduction (Gaertner et al., 1993), which we will discuss in detail in the section about the interventions for the reduction of intergroup bias. Finally, the highest level is the most comprehensive and comprises categorizing oneself as a human being. ...
... Similar to the Crossed-categorization model, the Common ingroup identity model (CIIM; also known as the Re-categorization strategy; Gaertner et al., 1993) starts from the fact individuals belong to multiple social groups. However, CIIM represents multiple social categorizations on the different levels of inclusiveness: typically, it imposes a superordinate category that encompasses both in-and outgroups. ...
... This model takes into account the basic premise of the Social identity approachthat ingroup favoritism is rooted in social categorization itself (Tajfel & Turner, 1985). Therefore, the authors of CIIM proposed that imposing a superordinate category, which encompasses both in-and outgroups, should reduce the intergroup bias; in other words, replacing the cognitive representation of two distinct groups with a representation of a single superordinate group should be effective in bias reduction (Gaertner et al., 1993). The initial empirical evidence supports this thesis. ...
Thesis
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In this thesis, we focused on social-identity interventions for intergroup bias reduction, more precisely, on methodological practices used when these interventions are tested. We aimed to systematically review practices of using manipulation and plausibility checks, and then to experimentally test how individual differences shape the relations between intervention and its plausibility, effectiveness, and success. In the systematic literature review (Study 1), we analyzed the current practices of plausibility and manipulation checks use in experimental studies that test social-identity interventions for intergroup bias reduction. We were interested in the frequency of plausibility and manipulation checks use in these experiments, as well as on the purpose of these checks, i.e., whether they are used as criteria for participants’ exclusion from the analysis of interventions’ effects. The results indicate that the use of manipulation checks is more frequent than the previously observed average in socio-psychological experiments. On the other hand, the use of plausibility checks is extremely rare. Additionally, we observed that these types of checks are rarely used as exclusion criteria. Then, across four experiments (Study 2), we tested two variations of a dual-identity intervention that originate from the Gateway group paradigm – one framed from the outgroup perspective, and another framed from the ingroup perspective. Here we were particularly focused on differences between the interventions in terms of their plausibility and effectiveness to induce perception of gateway groups’ dual identity, as well as on the relations between individual differences in ideological beliefs, ethnic identification, ethnocultural perspective taking, outgroup threat perception, and outgroup contact on one hand, and plausibility and dual identity perception on the other. The experiments were conducted in three post-conflict contexts: Serbia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Republika Srpska. Our results consistently indicated that plausibility assessment is shaped by individual differences in outgroup threat perception and perspective taking. When it comes to the differences between the interventions, we observed that the effectiveness of outgroup experience intervention, but not ingroup norm intervention, was moderated by plausibility assessment. This effect was especially pronounced in the contexts that were more directly affected by the recent intergroup conflict (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska), compared to the context of Serbia where conflict was present less directly. Finally, across two experiments (Study 3), we tested whether plausibility shaped the success of the interventions in bias reduction. Consistent to Study 2, we observed that plausibility was important for the success of the outgroup experience intervention, but not the ingroup norm one. Importantly, we observed a backfire effect of the outgroup intervention among the individuals who assessed it as implausible in the context charged with intergroup threat (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina). We discuss the observed results in the context of social-identity approach to intergroup bias and offer recommendations for further testing application of social-identity interventions.
... In our research, we did not compare the effect of ingroup and outgroup membership labeling against that of universal labeling (i.e., participants know their decision is going to influence everyone in the future, regardless of their group membership). Previous psychological work suggests that the activation of a common superordinate identity improves intergroup relations 57,58 and such a universal labeling may promote intergenerational cooperation that benefits outgroup members without backlash. ...
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Issues related to sustainability (e.g., climate change and over-fishing) often manifest themselves as intergenerational social dilemmas, where people are faced with a choice between self-serving, unsustainable behavior and sustainable, personally costly behavior. Extending the previous literature on (non-intergenerational) intergroup cooperation, we tested whether group membership of the future generations influenced sustainable decision-making. In two preregistered studies using the intergenerational sustainability dilemma game, we found that individuals were more likely to make a sustainable (vs. selfish) decision when they believed that their current behavior would benefit future ingroup members, whereas more selfish decisions were made when benefits would accrue to outgroup members. These findings held in both the minimal group (Study 1: N = 1393) and national group (Study 2: Japan vs. China, N = 1781) contexts. The effect of ingroup intergenerational membership on cooperation was mediated by higher felt responsibility for future generations in both minimal and national group contexts. The effect of outgroup membership on intergenerational cooperation was mediated by a reduced sense of reputational concern in the minimal group context and by reduced affinity, legacy motivation, and responsibility for future generations in the nationality context.
... For instance, leaders should exhibit relationship-oriented leadership behaviors when teams have splintered into subgroups due to social categorization processes (Homan et al., 2020). In such cases, where there is low cohesion and potential relationship conflicts, leaders should aim to foster positive relationships and rebuild team unity (Gaertner et al., 1993). When teams actively utilize their diversity from an information/decision-making perspective, this should be amplified and sustained by task-oriented leadership behavior. ...
Chapter
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Chapter
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Chapter
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Chapter
This chapter presents implications for creations and reduction of intergroup bias. It presents the observation that persons organize their social environment by categorizing themselves and others into groups. Categorization serves two functions, enables to simplify the present social environment and to predict future social behavior. Although reliance on categories is efficient, there is a risk error when using a category based on phenotypic similarities to infer genotypic properties. (Thus, members of a group may share similar opinions on matters relevant to the group but that similarity may not reflect an underlying similarity of motives or dispositions.) Categorizing others into ingroups and outgroups produces a set of consistent and quite logical effects, including assumptions of similarity within and dissimilarity between groups, assumed homogeneity of the outgroup, and overreliance on information that supports these assumptions. Further, categorization leads to intergroup comparisons and ingroup favoritism over outgroups even when no obvious justifications are present for bias.