In-group bias arises from preferential in-group treatment rather than out-group hostility

Evidence

Partially due to consistency motives and some aspects of social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), increases in assimilation to one’s in-group prompt more favorable evaluative attitudes toward that group. This process provides ample foundation for the development of in-group bias (Aberson, Healy, & Romero, 2000; Hogg & Abrams, 1988). Further, social comparisons that shine a markedly positive light on one’s in-group compared with the out-group also bolster positive in-group affect. — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1404