Question

what factors seem to promote the formation of in-group preferences? how might adults influence such attitudes towards social groups?

Answer 1

Ingroup bias is a cognitive bias where people tend to favor their own group as compared to the other group. This is a very powerful bias and it can influence both individual and group behavior. Factors that can promote ingroup prferences:

1) When there is a competition between two groups for a valuable resource. According to the realistic conflict theory, ingroup preferences can arise when there is a competition between the two groups for a valuable resource.

2) Relative deprivation theory. Sometimes even the perception that your group is getting less benefits as compared to the other group can lead to in-group preferences. In such situation, you will give favor to the people of your own group instead of giving it to a outer group member.

3) When there is a need to protect or improve the self-esteem. When your self-esteem is associated to the self-esteem of your group, you will try to maintain or elevate it further. In order to have high self-esteem, you need to believe that your group is superior than the others.

Adults play an important role in influencing such attitudes. Socialization plays an important role in formation of stereotypes and prejudice against the out group members. For example, a child is taught that Asians are not very good people. So, when the child is taught such negative beliefs about the Asians and they see their parents practising the same, their atitude towards the Asians will grow stronger over the time.