In- and out-groups across cultures: Identities and perceived group values

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Cross-Cultural Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Distinguishing between in-groups and out-groups is a near-universal human behavior.
• Existing theories on in-group/out-group dynamics lack extensive cross-cultural validation.
• Understanding perceived group values is crucial for explaining social affiliation and 'othering'.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate prevalent in-groups and out-groups across four diverse societies.
• To identify patterns in perceived values associated with these groups.
• To examine the role of conventional morality in in-group affiliation and out-group perception.

Main Methods:

• Cross-cultural survey design across four distinct societal samples.
• Demographic analysis of prevalent in-groups and out-groups.
• Analysis of third-order beliefs regarding group values, specifically focusing on Schwartz's value scheme.

Main Results:

• In-groups, frequently family, are consistently perceived as conventionally moral (e.g., caring).
• Disparate out-groups are commonly viewed as hedonistic and self-serving.
• Conventional morality emerged as a central value axis for in-group affiliation and out-group 'othering' across cultures.

Conclusions:

• Perceptions of conventional morality significantly shape in-group bonding and out-group differentiation universally.
• Findings underscore the cross-cultural importance of moral values in social identity and intergroup relations.
• The study provides ecological validity to demographic and value-based understandings of human group dynamics.