Japanese in-group favoritism depends on reciprocity, unlike Western positive distinctiveness.

Evidence

According to social identity theory, such in-group favoritism is based on the motivation for positive intergroup distinctiveness, by benefitting the in-group as a whole. On the contrary, studies have shown that Japanese stop favoring in-group over out-group members when reciprocal interdependence with in-group members has been eliminated (Jin, Yamagishi, & Kiyonari, 1996; Karp, Jin, Yamagishi, & Shinotsuka, 1993). In contrast to the principle of positive intergroup distinctiveness governing intergroup behaviors, East Asian intergroup behavior can be understood as a strategy that maximize one’s own personal interest by maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with fellow in-group members (Yamagishi, Jin, & Kiyonari, 1999). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 1637

Categorization

• DEFINE: Draws a clean contrast between two mechanisms for the same behavior: Western ‘positive intergroup distinctiveness’ vs. East Asian reciprocity-based interest maximization.
• QUESTION: Does this reciprocity account survive when incentive structures differ, or is it specific to lab minimal-group setups?