Social Identity Theory: Vocab

Minimal Group Paradigm

A social psychology experiment that demonstrates how simply assigning individuals to groups can trigger intergroup bias, even when those groups are based on trivial or arbitrary criteria

Trivial

Something of little importance, value, or worth

Arbitrary

Actions, decisions, or beliefs that are not based on reason, evidence, or a consistent principle, but rather on chance, whimsy, or individual preference

In-group favoritism

A psychological tendency to favor members of one’s own group (the in-group) over members of other groups (the out-group)

Out-group discrimination

Negative attitudes and behavior towards members of groups one does not identify with, often leading to prejudice and unfair treatment

Social categorization

The cognitive process of grouping individuals into categories based on shared characteristics, such as race, gender, or social status

Social comparison

The process of evaluating one’s own abilities, opinions, or characteristics by comparing oneself to others