In-group favouritism and out-group discrimination in naturally occurring groups.

Klaus Abbink,Donna Harris,Pablo Brañas-Garza

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221616

Klaus Abbink, Donna Harris + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221616

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Sep 4, 2019
Citations: 35	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Monash University, University of Oxford

Abstract

We study in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination in a multiplayer dictator game in a naturally occuring group setting. An allocator divides a large sum of money among three groups of around 20 recipients each and also to themselves. The groups are supporters of two rival political movements in Thailand and politically neutral subjects. The non-rival out-group acts as a reference point and allows us to measure in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination. A treatment with artificial groups serves as a control. We find both in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination among the naturally occurring groups. In artificial groups, favouritism is observed, but not discrimination. Our results suggest that the two behaviours are not driven by the same motive, and only when groups are in conflict that out-group discrimination is likely to occur.

Highlights

Group living represents the fundamental survival strategy that characterises the human species [1, 2]
In-group favouritism has been related to racial profiling by police and the justice system and can be considered as a form of corruption when public officials abuse their power in order to distribute positions and/or resources to their own groups at the expense of the public at large [4, 5, 6]
The weaker effects observed in our artificial groups treatment confirm that the strong results in the natural groups treatment was not due to labelling alone

Summary

Introduction

Group living represents the fundamental survival strategy that characterises the human species [1, 2]. Even young children aged between 3 and 7 years already exhibit greater generosity towards in-group members than out-group members across a series of economic games [3]. It is not always clear whether differential treatment of others on the grounds of group identity is an expression of a preference for the one’s own group or hostility against the out-group. Our focus is on in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination behaviours because they have a number of important economic and social implications. In-group favouritism has been related to racial profiling by police and the justice system and can be considered as a form of corruption when public officials abuse their power in order to distribute positions and/or resources to their own groups at the expense of the public at large [4, 5, 6]

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Results

Conclusion