Out-group favoritism contradicts social identity theory’s premise of self-enhancement.

Evidence

In this form, in-group bias is identified as the minimal group effect. … The minimal group effect indicates that shared group membership provides a sufficient link to self to permit implicit operation of self-esteem. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 126 (#complicates, via linked claim)

At this point, the German people had no nation, no military, no wealth, and no identity. Their collective self-esteem was extremely low, and their future was quite uncertain. — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 912 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Ingroup favoritism stems from projecting self onto ingroup, not from self-enhancement striving — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 340; Social identity derives its value from comparisons against out-groups — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2718; Social identity theory cannot explain negative in-group stereotypes among the disadvantaged — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2895 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Mere group membership suffices to trigger self-esteem-linked favoritism. #complicates (0.74) — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 126
• Threatened identity and low collective self-esteem fuel out-group scapegoating. #complicates (0.72) — Leonard S. Newman and Ralph Erber (eds.), Understanding Genocide, 912