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Related Concept Videos

In- and Out-Groups01:31

In- and Out-Groups

People all belong to a gender, race, age, and social economic group. These groups provide a powerful source of our identity and self-esteem (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and serve as our in-groups. An in-group is a group that we identify with or see ourselves as belonging to.
Impact of Groups on Groups01:19

Impact of Groups on Groups

Social psychologists analyze how groups influence one another, shaping social structures and interactions through both cooperation and competition. These dynamics manifest in various ways, ranging from economic partnerships to intergroup conflicts that shape societal structures and perceptions.Cooperation and Competition in Intergroup RelationsIntergroup relationships vary across contexts, sometimes fostering cooperation and mutual benefit while at other times leading to conflict and...
Impact of Individuals on a Group01:25

Impact of Individuals on a Group

In social psychology, the interplay between individuals and groups is a central concern, particularly regarding how individual actions and characteristics influence group processes and outcomes. While much research emphasizes the group's power in shaping individual behavior, it is equally significant to understand how individuals contribute to the functioning, development, and success of groups.Individual Roles in Group Productivity and Decision-MakingIndividuals are not passive participants in...
Groupthink01:34

Groupthink

When in group settings, we are often influenced by the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors around us. Groupthink is another phenomenon of conformity where modification of the opinions of members in a group aligns with what they believe is the group consensus (Janis, 1972). In such situations, the group often takes action that individuals would not perform outside the group setting because groups make more extreme decisions than individuals do. Moreover, groupthink can hinder opposing trains of...
Social Proof00:52

Social Proof

Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
Impact of Groups on Individuals01:28

Impact of Groups on Individuals

Groups play a fundamental role in shaping individual behavior, as they establish norms that guide interactions and decision-making. Social psychology examines how individuals conform to group expectations, often adjusting their attitudes and actions to align with group norms. These norms can be formal, such as workplace policies, or informal, such as unspoken social expectations within a fraternity.Conformity and Social InfluenceConformity arises when individuals modify their behaviors or...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm
06:18

The Collective Trust Game: An Online Group Adaptation of the Trust Game Based on the HoneyComb Paradigm

Published on: October 20, 2022

Group rationale, collective sense: beyond intergroup bias.

Russell Spears1

  • 1School of Psychology, Cardiff University, UK. spearsr@cardiff.ac.uk

The British Journal of Social Psychology
|March 13, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Groups are not inherently irrational or biased. This paper argues that negative group perceptions stem from incorrect analysis levels and overstated evidence, proposing group identity redefines rationality.

Area of Science:

  • Social Psychology
  • Group Dynamics
  • Behavioral Economics

Background:

  • The prevailing view in social psychology often portrays groups as sources of bias and irrationality.
  • This negative evaluation is frequently based on applying individual-level analysis standards to group phenomena.
  • Existing research often overstates the universality and severity of intergroup discrimination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To challenge the negative stereotype of groups as inherently biased and irrational.
  • To re-evaluate the nature of intergroup discrimination and its functional role.
  • To explore how group emotions and identity can enhance, rather than contradict, rationality.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis and critique of existing social psychological theories.

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  • Reinterpretation of empirical evidence on intergroup discrimination.
  • Integration of functional approaches to group emotions and rationality.

    • Main Results:

    • Negative group evaluations often result from inappropriate levels of analysis (individual vs. group).
    • Intergroup discrimination is frequently constrained, proportionate, and strategically functional.
    • Group emotions, viewed through a functional lens, augment rationality.

    Conclusions:

    • The traditional view of groups as irrational is often overstated and based on flawed analytical frameworks.
    • Group identity offers a pathway to redefine rationality in more collective and prosocial terms.
    • A functional perspective highlights the adaptive and rational aspects of group behavior and emotions.