Evidence for Implicit Evaluative In-Group Bias: Affect-Biased Spontaneous Trait Inference in a Minimal Group Paradigm

Abstract

Mere categorization of individuals into two distinct social categories has been shown to elicit in-group favoritism. Positive differentiation, even of trivial groups, has been explained in terms of a striving for a positive social identity (Tajfel & Turner, 1986). The present study questions this interpretation by providing evidence for the implicit activation of positive affect toward novel in-groups. A minimal group setting was combined with a typical paradigm measuring spontaneous trait inferences (STIs). Results show that behaviors that implied positive traits about an in-group member were more likely to be categorized in a manner consistent with the implied trait than when (a) the behaviors were performed by an out-group member and (b) the traits implied were negative. There was no facilitation of trait inference to out-group members performing negative behaviors (i.e., there was evidence for implicit in-group favoritism but not out-group derogation).