When I becomes we: Associative self-anchoring drives implicit intergroup bias in minimal groups

Jenny Roth, Melanie C. Steffens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Preference for in-groups over out-groups (intergroup bias) is a general and robust phenomenon. The personal self has been theorized to be a source of intergroup bias. In two studies, participants were categorized randomly without any-not even simulated-trait-based similarity between the personal self and the in-group. Findings demonstrate that the interplay of implicit personal self-esteem and group identification (i.e., associative self-anchoring) relates to implicit intergroup bias. We suggest that associative self-anchoring can be a process that establishes a balance between the concept of the self, the group, and traits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)253-264
Number of pages12
JournalSocial Psychology
Volume45
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Cognitive balance
  • Intergroup bias
  • Minimal groups
  • Self-anchoring
  • Self-esteem

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