Are Chinese really “a tray of loose sand”? Intergroup bias and social distance between group members

Abstract

Although social distance plays a significant role in human group dynamics, how social distance within a group influences intergroup bias remains underdiscussed. By exploring whether Chinese are “a tray of loose sand” when they pursue high harmony as an end, this study examines how social distance between group members influences their intergroup bias, i.e., ingroup harmony and outgroup hostility in Chinese society. The survey results support the hypotheses that within-group social distance negatively influences ingroup harmony and outgroup hostility, with its effects on outgroup hostility fully mediated by ingroup harmony. Results also support that education has negative effects on ingroup harmony, but do not support negative impacts of education on outgroup hostility. In addition, it is found that age has positive influences on ingroup harmony and negative effects on outgroup hostility. The paper concludes with implications of the results, limitations, and suggestions for future research in this area.