Common Ingroup Identity Model Research Articles

Dual superordinate identities in Sweden's vulnerable neighborhoods: Stronger local and national identities associated with increases in institutional and interpersonal trust

AbstractA superordinate identity that emphasizes the shared bond between people of different groups can have beneficial outcomes according to the theoretical argument of the common ingroup identity model. Unlike previous research that focuses on a single superordinate identity, we simultaneously study two superordinate identities: local identity (identification with the neighborhood) and national identity (identification with the country of residence). Our study is set in two ethnically heterogenous and low‐income neighborhoods in Sweden. Based on four waves of panel survey data, we find that both types of superordinate identities are associated with increases in interpersonal and institutional trust. The identities have distinct consequences, however. Local identity is related to local trust and national identity to national trust. These results are based on within‐individual variation. Since high trust generally has a range of positive consequences, our results point to an approach at improving communities that are often in much need of it. We observe low correlation between the two superordinate identities and high convergent and discriminant validity of the concepts. Our results may be relevant to similar neighborhoods that exist across Europe.

Can Democrats and Republicans like each other? Depends on how you define “American”

Democrats and Republicans increasingly demonstrate negative intergroup attitudes, posing a threat to bipartisan progress. Based on the Common Ingroup Identity Model, people from different political groups can simultaneously identify with a superordinate group, such as a national identity. This has the potential to ameliorate negative intergroup attitudes, though high levels of national identity are also associated with authoritarianism and intolerance. How can a common national identity improve relations between Democrats and Republicans? In this observational study (N = 1,272), Democrats and Republicans differed in how they defined what it means to be American, and higher American identity was related to more positive attitudes toward members of the other party. Most importantly, this relationship was moderated by participants' definition of what it means to be “American,” regardless of party or political orientation. Those who defined what it means to be American in more restrictive terms (i.e., U.S.-born, English-speaking, and Christian) reported less positive attitudes toward members of the other political party as their identification as an American became stronger. Taken together, our results suggest that strengthening national identity might be key to improving attitudes between Democrats and Republicans, as long as this identity is inclusive.

European identity's effect on immigration attitudes: Testing the predictions of the common Ingroup identity model versus ingroup projection model

AbstractA superordinate identity unites different subgroups into an overarching, common one. But does superordinate identification then improve or worsen attitudes towards the former outgroup? The common ingroup identity model (CIIM) asserts that recategorization ameliorates outgroup bias by reducing perceptions of intergroup threat. It predicts that superordinate identification will improve intergroup relations by promoting tolerance and acceptance of diversity. In contrast, the ingroup project model (IPM) asserts that identifying superordinately will actually exacerbate outgroup bias because ingroup members naturally project their own characteristics onto the superordinate category and will more strongly dislike the former outgroup for not fitting the “correct” superordinate prototype. Existing evidence—largely drawn from psychology lab experiments, not real‐world situations—suggests both models can be correct insofar as ingroup projection only occurs under certain conditions. In that case, which model is correct for European identity? Results from original survey data collected in three European countries (Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom) show that increased identification with Europe is almost always associated with more favorable attitudes towards outgroup immigrants, even among those most likely to engage in ingroup projection. Future research should continue to investigate when and why this inclusivity does—and does not—hold.

‘We like because we feel liked’ exposure to cultural fusion improves outgroup attitudes through contact metacognition

AbstractBased on the common ingroup identity model and the principle of group reciprocity, this study proposes that exposure to cultural fusion can improve outgroup attitudes by activating positive contact metacognition, that is, the subjective perception of the outgroup's desire for contact with the ingroup. To test this hypothesis, we conducted three experiments with Chinese Yi students. They were randomly primed with Dai‐Yi cultural fusion pictures, Dai cultural pictures, Yi cultural pictures or geometry pictures (Dai and Yi are two Chinese ethnic minorities). They were asked to report their contact metacognition, cultural identity (Experiments 2 and 3), explicit (willingness to help; Experiments 1 and 2) and implicit attitudes towards Dai (SC‐IAT; Experiment 3). The results found that exposure to Dai‐Yi cultural fusion improved contact metacognition among Yi participants, subsequently leading to more positive explicit and implicit attitudes towards Dai. Unexpectedly, cultural identity did not moderate the mediated effect of contact metacognition. These findings suggest that exposure to cultural fusion is an effective and stable strategy for fostering harmonious intergroup relationships and specifically highlight the importance of contact metacognition. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Exploring Transcultural Communication via Perceived Social Distance and Intergroup Acceptance toward K-Pop and Asian Culture

Well-known K-pop (Korean popular music) bands have gained the status of pop music icons, owing to their widespread popularity around the world. This study explored the interrelations between a set of relevant social and psychological factors to explain how K-pop has also contributed to a one-of-a-kind transcultural communication phenomenon on the Internet via social media. An online survey was conducted with a sample of non-Asian American college students, as K-pop is highly popular among this group of music fans. A path analysis was performed to test a conceptual framework that integrated social distance theory, common ingroup identity model, and dialectical mode. The conceptual framework theorizes that perceived social distance and intergroup acceptance between individuals of non-Asian and Asian descent, as well as perceived musical similarity between Western and K-pop cultures, will underscore the intention for transcultural social media communication about K-pop. The current study contributes to advancing the literature by addressing the social-psychological domain of transcultural communication in the context of popular entertainment across social, cultural, lingusitic, and national boundaries.

Breaking the mold: examining the effectiveness of techniques to reduce motivated reasoning

ABSTRACT Extensive research in the social sciences has shown that people tend to engage in motivated reasoning when processing information. However, one area of inquiry that has been lacking is examining the effectiveness of different strategies that aim to decrease motivated reasoning. In this paper, we examine three strategies that have been shown to decrease motivated reasoning: accuracy motivation, the common ingroup identity model, and self-affirmation. We begin by replicating previous findings examining the effectiveness of each of these strategies in reducing motivated reasoning. We then extend this line of inquiry by comparing the effects of these three strategies against one another to determine if one of them is more effective at reducing motivated reasoning. To test our hypotheses, we used an experimental design and recruited participants from Prolific.

Diversifying power in action: A socio-psychological approach to inclusive energy transition experiments

Today only an exclusive group of citizens is represented in most energy transition projects. Adoption patterns are substantially shaped by gender, ethnic identity, education level, income and wealth. This stands in contradiction to the principle of fostering inclusive engagement as a key goal of energy transition policy. Despite notable exceptions, research is lacking on developing strategies for supporting demographically inclusive energy transitions. This action research study contributes to this gap by developing a theory-based and empirically tested approach for supporting inclusive engagement in energy transitions. For this purpose, we follow-up on a promising line of research in psychology and societal transformation, to inform a transition experiment aiming at fostering inclusivity based on the social-psychological concept of identity. In particular, we build on the common ingroup identity model (CIIM). The CIIM describes an approach to uniting people with different identities under a common umbrella identity, with the goal of uniting previously separated and in some cases divided groups. As such, we propose that the CIIM holds potential for connecting actors with different backgrounds in jointly shaping energy transitions. To investigate this here we describe the design, implementation and evaluation of an energy transition experiment structured around the CIIM. The findings of a mixed methods-evaluation study suggest that there is indeed potential in this approach, for fostering inclusivity. We comment on the implications for energy policy and on some of the challenges of action research in energy transitions contexts.

Pan-African solidarity in South Africa: An empirical public opinion analysis

Social cohesion issues, such as xenophobia and racism, are major societal challenges for South Africa. What can be put forward to address these challenges? By drawing together separate threads of literature from Pan-Africanism and common ingroup identities, the study puts forward the Pan-African Solidarity thesis: low levels of supranational identification with Africa undermines social cohesion in South Africa and low supranational identifications are caused by local ideational/socio-psychological factors as well as cluing from political elites. This thesis is unique, mass identifications with Africa are understudied and little is known about how people in the country identify with the continent. In order to validate this Pan-African Solidarity thesis, the article will answer three important questions: (i) are mass identifications with Africa in South Africa low?; (ii) are attachment to an African identity associated with anti-minority views?; and (iii) what is driving mass identifications with Africa? An IPSOS funded attitudinal dataset fielded in four of the country’s nine provinces was used to answer these questions. Results provide empirical support for the Pan-African Solidarity thesis and found that a continental identity was related to intolerance of different outgroups (e.g., racial minorities, refugees and cross-border migrants). This is consistent with the expectations of the Common Ingroup Identity Model. But the study also makes original contributions to the literature, finding that the formation of continental identifications is informed by South Africa’s history of white settler colonialism. Cross-border contact, retrospective sociotropic evaluations, pro-black sentiment and trust in national elites were identified as determinants of citizens' identification with Africa.

“You're a Cog in a System that Needs to Work”: Conditional Acceptance of LGBTQ College Athletes

Abstract A thematic analysis of interviews with lesbian, gay, and transgender US athletes who were out while playing varsity collegiate sports is examined for LGBTQ and athletic identifications. Conceptualizing being out as an ongoing process, we asked participants to describe their experiences over the years they were playing. Participants described athletic identifications as superordinate to and predating LGBTQ identifications. Although they initially anticipated overt conflict while out, they experienced more implicit than explicit homo/transnegativity. We draw upon theoretical perspectives of common in-group identity model and superordinate identity to analyze their descriptions. However, given that such models treat identities as separate, interacting things, they lack the dynamism and fluidity of contemporary queer perspectives, we add the concept of entanglement. Identifications were described as entangled in supportive ways but conditioned upon prioritizing athletic identifications as superordinate. We conclude urging scholarship on LGBTQ athletes to move past conflict-based expectations of explicit homophobia.

When (Non)Differences Make a Difference: The Roles of Demographic Diversity and Ideological Homogeneity in Overcoming Ideologically Biased Decision Making

Increasing demographic diversity is undoubtedly important and can aid in debiasing decision makers. Yet, the promises of demographic diversity are not always realized due to social integration problems. We consider why and for whom differences combined with homogeneity make a difference for groups in terms of integratively complex thinking and ideological decision making. Although research has shown that decision makers often rely on political biases, that work has not addressed when and why decision-making groups are able to overcome these biases—a pervasive concern in today’s politically polarized social milieu. Drawing on the common in-group identity model and research on integrative complexity, we theorize that demographic diversity ultimately yields less ideological decision making because it prompts integrative complexity; however, demographic diversity only accrues this benefit in the presence of ideological homogeneity. We also reason that the relationship between integrative complexity and reduced ideological decision making emerges for more conservative (versus more liberal) groups. We find support for our expectations using a natural experiment of judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Supplemental analyses indicate that working within a demographically diverse and ideologically homogeneous group also positively predicts integrative complexity in future decision-making groups. Finally, we find that demographic and ideological diversity can substitute for one another, but no additional integrative complexity benefits accrue when both are present. We discuss implications of this research in light of the ongoing conversation about the value of diversity and today’s polarized political climate. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1647 .

Rethinking common ingroup identity model in minority restaurant messages: The moderating role of moral identity

How minority-owned small restaurants could effectively communicate to mainstream markets is the key for their survival. This study applies the common ingroup identity model to explore the underlying mechanism through which group identity framing leads to White guests’ patronage intentions to minority-owned restaurants. Through two online experiments, the study reveals a different result from the common ingroup identity model. While a common identity (vs. different identity) message increases White consumers’ perceived closeness with the minority owners, it does not lead to higher restaurant visit intentions. Instead, for those with higher levels of moral identity, a different identity (vs. common identity) message leads to stronger visit intention to the ethnic minority-owned restaurant. The study findings provide valuable implications for minority restaurant owners to manipulate their marketing messages to appeal to a larger mainstream customer base.

Global news – global identity? The relationship between media consumption, perception of identity, and ethnocentrism

AbstractIn line with the common ingroup identity model, the present research investigated whether factors beyond contact conditions are associated with the emergence of a shared identity perception and outgroup attitudes. Concretely, we reasoned that higher consumption of global news would be positively related to a stronger global identity, which in turn would be negatively correlated with ethnocentrism. In contrast, consumption of local news should be associated with a local identity, which would then be positively related to ethnocentrism. To test these ideas, one cross‐sectional (N = 576) and one longitudinal study (N = 410) were carried out at an Austrian university. As hypothesized, global news consumption was associated with a stronger global identity, which then accounted for reduced ethnocentrism. However, only in the cross‐sectional study, we found empirical evidence that local news interest is positively correlated with ethnocentrism mediated by local identity.

Support for Social Change Among Members of Advantaged Groups: The Role of a Dual Identity Representation and Accepting Intergroup Contact.

This preregistered research analyzed survey data from ethnic and religious advantaged groups in 12 countries (N = 2,304) to examine the interplay between two determinants of support for social change toward intergroup equality. Drawing on the needs-based model and the common-ingroup identity model, we hypothesized that the experience of accepting intergroup contact and the endorsement of a dual identity representation of intergroup relations would be associated with greater support for equality. Furthermore, integrating the logic of both models, we tested the novel hypothesis that the positive effect of accepting contact on support for equality would be stronger under a high (vs. low) dual identity representation. While the predicted main effects received empirical support, we found no evidence for the expected interaction. These findings suggest that interventions to foster support for social change among advantaged group members can promote accepting contact and a dual identity representation independently of each other.

Gamer Girl vs. Girl Gamer: Stereotypical Gamer Traits Increase Men's Play Intention

The present study utilized two theories (the common ingroup identity model; expectation states theory) to examine male players' intention to play video games with a female player. Consistent with the common ingroup identity model, male participants who were exposed to a pseudo Xbox profile presenting a woman as a stereotypical gamer showed stronger identification with the gamer category compared to those who saw a profile presenting her as a stereotypical female player. These male participants in turn showed stronger intention to play video games with the woman in the Xbox profile. Results also supported expectation states theory, suggesting that viewing the profile which represents a woman as a stereotypical gamer was related to men's stronger intention to play a competitive rather than a casual video game with her. These results shed light on the positive influence of presenting female video game players with counterstereotypical traits to reduce discrimination against women in gaming.

The role of European and national identity and threat perceptions in attitudes towards immigrants

ABSTRACT Identification with a superordinate entity, like Europe, reduces prejudice towards immigrants in general, but no research so far investigated if this differs between prejudice towards immigrants from inside and outside Europe. Using online survey data from four European countries, we determined whether national and European identification are (differently) related to attitudes towards immigrants from inside and outside Europe, and to which extent these relations can be explained by differences in refugee threat perceptions. We found that those who strongly identify with Europe hold more favorable views towards both European and non-European immigrants, while the reverse effect is found for strong national identifiers – an effect that can be explained by realistic and symbolic refugee threat perceptions. We did not find evidence for our expectation that the strength of the associations of national identification on attitudes and threat perceptions would depend on the level of European identification of participants. Overall, our findings provide mixed support for the Common In-group Identity Model because European identifiers, although more positive towards immigrants, did not make strong distinctions between European and non-European immigrants.

Better Attitudes toward Foreigners: Effects of Dual-Identity, Identity Fusion with the Country and Humanity

Social categorization implies a difference between “we” and “they”, motivating people to create or maintain a positive group distinctiveness, which leads to intergroup bias. The common ingroup identity model proposes that recategorization from separated subgroups into an inclusive superordinate group can reduce intergroup bias. However, further research shows that bias reduction is more likely when a dual identity is created, wherein the ingroup and superordinate identities are simultaneously salient and, thus, ingroup distinctiveness is safeguarded within this recategorization process. The present study examined the effect of dual versus common identity representations on attitudes toward foreigners, as well as the dependence of this effect on identity fusion with the country and all humanity. Participants (n = 149) were assigned to one of two conditions: Worldwide (common) Identity, and Dual-Identity. Regression analysis indicated that, relative to the worldwide identity condition, the dual-identity condition produced more positive attitudes toward foreigners: less willingness to fight, greater perceived common identity, and stronger trust. This last result was moderated by identity fusion with the country and all humanity. Findings suggest that to reduce intergroup bias, it is important that people perceive themselves as members of all humanity without having to relinquish their ingroup identity

WHAT DO WE HAVE IN-COMMON? OVERCOMING THE NOT-INVENTED-HERE SYNDROME THROUGH RECATEGORISATION

The not-invented-here (NIH) syndrome describes a negatively-shaped attitude of employees towards externally generated knowledge. Despite being cited as one of the largest barriers in the transfer of external knowledge, empirical evidence on interventions to overcome NIH remains scarce. To address this research gap, we design a brief and specific recategorisational-intervention on basis of the common in-group identity model in order to change employees’ attitudes towards external knowledge directly. Additionally, we take into account the effects of affirmations as a frequently mentioned countermeasure to NIH and also investigate the role of dual identities in recategorisation. To test our hypothesis, we conducted a large field experiment with a total of 1,097 employees within a multinational organisation. Results revealed that (I) organisational identification and status are positively related to higher levels of NIH, (II) a recategorisational-intervention completely removes the NIH bias and leads to a significant increase in the evaluation of external knowledge.

The effect of minority residents’ attitudes and emotional solidarity on ethnic neighborhood tourism: a multigroup invariance analysis

In urban areas where ethnic composition is not homogeneous, interethnic relations play a critical role in attitudes tourism representing a particular ethnic culture, or ethnic neighborhood tourism. However, few studies have explored minority residents’ perceptions of interethnic relations, solidarity, and attitudes towards tourism. Given members of the dominant and minority ethnic groups differ in social status and power, they may have different orientations towards interethnic relationships and cultural representation. Furthermore, no study has compared multiple diasporic groups whose social relationships with the dominant ethnic group might differ within a country. By applying the common in-group identity model and the interactive acculturation model, this study aims to explore whether and how interethnic relations with members of a dominant ethnic group influence attitudes about ethnic neighborhood tourism among members of ethnic minority groups whose culture is represented for tourism. This research focuses on Korean and Brazilian immigrants and their descendants. Analysis of 343 completed questionnaires revealed that interethnic relationships within the local communities influence minority residents’ attitudes tourism development. However, the comparison of the two diasporic groups revealed have different orientations towards interethnic relations and tourism. This may be because of various acculturation experiences and socioeconomic conditions.

Underemployment of skilled self-initiated expatriates – a skill mismatch or categorisation?

ABSTRACT Despite excellent education and a rich working experience in their home countries, skilled expatriates struggle to find employment that matches their qualifications. This article goes beyond the dominant stress and emotions’ perspective on underemployment and presents the challenges of skilled migrant labour through the lens of the Common In-group Identity Model. It draws from the voices of expatriates and host-country nationals, and employs interviews and personal narratives to study the role of inter-group bias in social and occupational adaptation of skilled expatriates with focus on their underemployment. Its contribution lies in that expatriate employment challenges are examined not from a psychological but from a societal perspective. Thus, it increases our understanding of the factors that lead to underemployment among skilled workers. It also offers solutions to how the problem of underemployment can be overcome through recategorisation, as well as, points to differences in expatriate adaptation among self-initiated expatriates and international assignees.

Interdependence in Mediated Intergroup Contact

Abstract. Mediated intergroup contact and extended contact hypothesis research shows that observing a positive intergroup interaction can result in improved attitudes toward the outgroup. This experiment tested the common ingroup identity model and how the creation of a superordinate identity among characters in a television narrative influences viewers’ willingness to interact with outgroup members and attitudes toward the outgroup. Results reveal that self-efficacy, anxiety, and inclusion of the outgroup in the self mediated the relationship between exposure to narratives featuring intergroup interdependence and both positive attitudes toward and greater willingness to interact with the outgroup. That is, participants who watched a narrative featuring high levels of intergroup teamwork reported increased feelings of self-efficacy when considering future outgroup interactions, which was associated with lower levels of outgroup anxiety. Lower levels of anxiety were then associated with increased inclusion of the outgroup in the self, which was ultimately associated with more positive attitudes toward and greater willingness to interact with the outgroup. These results suggest that, even when comparing the effects of two narratives that portray an identical, positive outcome, positive effects on attitudes toward and willingness to interact with outgroup members are stronger when ingroup and outgroup members display interdependence. This research represents a step toward understanding the ways that the common ingroup identity model might help explain the extended contact hypothesis and the mechanisms by which narratives can affect attitudes toward and willingness to interact with outgroup members.