title: Investigating the Evolution of Ingroup Favoritism Using a Minimal Group Interaction Paradigm: The Effects of Inter- and Intragroup Interdependence.
abstract: We investigated the effect of structural interdependencies between groups (especially inequality), and interdependencies between individuals on ingroup favoritism in minimal group situations. Previous research has attempted to determine whether ingroup favoritism is produced by categorization or intragroup interdependencies (reciprocation expectations), but recent literature suggests that it is not possible to tease these influences apart. We report two studies that investigate how ingroup favoritism evolves over time in social interaction. The levels of ingroup favoritism were affected by categorization and inequality, and the level of ingroup favoritism changed over time, increasing or decreasing depending on the nature of the initial intergroup structure. We conclude by providing two explanations for this change: emergent norms, and changes to the intergroup situation produced by interaction. Our experiments confirm the value of studying the evolution of minimal group behavior, especially for explaining why low status groups act to preserve intergroup inequalities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2926-5953
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Durrheim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.|Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quayle
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
authors.forename: Colin G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Tredoux
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Titlestad
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
authors.forename: Larry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tooke
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult