title: Is in-group bias culture-dependent? A meta-analysis across 18 societies.
abstract: We report a meta-analysis on the relationship between in-group bias and culture. Our focus is on whether broad macro-contextual variables influence the extent to which individuals favour their in-group. Data from 21,266 participants from 18 societies included in experimental and survey studies were available. Using Hofstede's (1980) and Schwartz (2006) culture-level predictors in a 3-level mixed-effects meta-analysis, we found strong support for the uncertainty-reduction hypothesis. An interaction between Autonomy and real vs artificial groups suggested that in low autonomy contexts, individuals show greater in-group bias for real groups. Implications for social identity theory and intergroup conflict are outlined.
authors.affiliation: Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus, Denmark ; Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.affiliation: Melbourne Clinical and Child Psychology Pty. Ltd., Albert Road Clinic, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Crysta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Derham
keywords: Autonomy; Culture; In-group bias; Individualism-collectivism; Minimal group paradigm; Social identity theory; Uncertainty
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