In-Groups and Out-Groups

Abstract

An in‐group is a social grouping which an individual feels belonging to, feels shared salient similarities with, as well as attaches an explicit sense of togetherness or “we‐ness” to. In‐group membership is not the mere result of cognitive classification according to salient social categories. Rather, it simultaneously involves emotional significance. In‐group affiliation evokes liking, trust, solidarity, and co‐operation toward in‐group members which are not extended to out‐groups. An out‐group is defined with direct reference to the in‐group. The out‐group refers to “the others,” to the people outside of the in‐group. It is a social grouping which an individual neither feels belonging to, nor identifies with, nor shares salient similarities with. An out‐group can imply a diffuse and abstract group of others, or instead a social group with specific social characteristics from which a given in‐group aims to be clearly distinguished.