Discuss minimal group effect and give practical examples
The minimal group effect refers to the phenomenon in social psychology where individuals show favoritism towards members of their own group, even when the groups are formed based on arbitrary or minimal criteria. These minimal groups can be based on something as insignificant as a coin flip, and yet individuals still show bias towards their own group.
One practical example of the minimal group effect is the famous "Robbers Cave" study conducted by Muzafer Sherif in 1954. In this study, a group of boys at a summer camp were divided into two groups based on arbitrary criteria. Despite the fact that the groups had no prior relationship or reason to discriminate against each other, they quickly began showing favoritism towards members of their own group and hostility towards members of the other group.
Another example of the minimal group effect can be seen in a classroom setting. If students are randomly assigned to different study groups, they may start to show favoritism towards members of their own group, even if they were previously friends with students in other groups. This bias can manifest in behaviors such as sharing study materials, providing help, and forming friendships within the group.
Overall, the minimal group effect highlights the powerful impact that group identity and social categorization can have on our behaviors and attitudes towards others, even when those groups are formed based on arbitrary criteria. This phenomenon has important implications for understanding intergroup conflict, prejudice, and discrimination in various social contexts.