Tajfel et al (1971)

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

1. Social Identity Theory

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate whether in-group favoritism would influence the behaviors towards others (out-group discrimination)

Participants

60 boys from UK aged between 14-15 years old (they were all well known each other)

Procedure

- Lab experiment
1. They were given the paintings by Klee and Kandinsky (without knowing who paint what)
2. The boys were randomly allocated into two groups based on their painting preferences
3. "Same preferences" was one group; "different preferences" was another group
4. The boys were asked to distributed virtual points/money to either themselves (in-group) or others (out-group)
5. They were given three options of distribution: 1) Maximum joined profit (in-group and out-group); 2) Maximum in-group profit (in-group favoritism); 3) Maximum difference in profit, meaning that boys would accept in-group losing money if that means the out-group would suffer a profit loss (out-group discrimination)

Results

Generally, participants favored their own in-group. It was also found that the boys were willing to give their in-group smaller amount of virtual money with the goal of maximizing the difference between themselves and the out-group

Implications/findings

Social identity Theory helps explain why we behave the way that we do as members of groups. Tajfel wanted to find the minimal level necessary for group identification and out-group discrimination to take place. He found that the mere fact of being put in a group(even on the basis of something insignificant as painter preferences) was enough to generate form of out-group discrimination (prejudice). This is why the study is known as the minimal group paradigm.

Ethical considerations

The minor use of deception

Evaluations

Strengths: High level of control; Standardized procedure(lab experiment)

Limitations: Lack in ecological validity(artificial task);
Presence of demand characteristics(perceived competition, particularly as it relates to teenagers);
Sampling Bias(Gender bias and cultural bias) also plus (socio-economic status)