Intergroup bias

Annu Rev Psychol. 2002:53:575-604. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.53.100901.135109.

Abstract

This chapter reviews the extensive literature on bias in favor of in-groups at the expense of out-groups. We focus on five issues and identify areas for future research: (a) measurement and conceptual issues (especially in-group favoritism vs. out-group derogation, and explicit vs. implicit measures of bias); (b) modern theories of bias highlighting motivational explanations (social identity, optimal distinctiveness, uncertainty reduction, social dominance, terror management); (c) key moderators of bias, especially those that exacerbate bias (identification, group size, status and power, threat, positive-negative asymmetry, personality and individual differences); (d) reduction of bias (individual vs. intergroup approaches, especially models of social categorization); and (e) the link between intergroup bias and more corrosive forms of social hostility.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Conflict, Psychological*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Prejudice*
  • Psychological Theory
  • Social Dominance
  • Social Identification
  • Social Perception
  • Stereotyping