Superordinate identities reduce bias and can mitigate perceived threat between groups.

Evidence

The common ingroup identity model (CIIM; Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000) proposes that bias can be reduced by increasing the salience of a more inclusive superordinate identity, so that a shared bond between the groups is perceived. Once former outgroup members are included within a superordinate identity, they can potentially benefit from the same preferential treatment accorded to original ingroup members. … Although most of the research involving the CIIM has examined its direct effect on intergroup bias, it is possible that a common ingroup identity also reduces perceived threat between groups. Once former outgroup members are regarded as ingroup members, there is less reason to perceive them as threatening. For example, a common ingroup identity could focus members’ attention on similarities rather than differences between the groups and thereby decrease the salience of the values and beliefs that are unshared, which should reduce symbolic threat. Intergroup anxiety occurs due to an apprehension of negative evaluations by outgroup members (W. G. Stephan & Stephan, 1985), but with a common superordinate identity former outgroup members would be seen as ingroup members and could elicit less anxiety, especially if the other types of threat are reduced. — Blake M. Riek, Eric W. Mania, and Samuel L. Gaertner, Intergroup Threat and Outgroup Attitudes, 174

Categorization

• XREF: The CIIM’s threat-reduction logic connects to my MOC’s threat-perception framework, situating recategorization as a downstream moderator of threat effects. — connects to: Superordinate identities reduce in-group bias in the lab but fail at societal scale. — Chen-Bo Zhong, Adam D. Galinsky, and Miguel M. Unzueta, Negational racial identity and…, 9; Changing how people categorize others can reduce intergroup threat. — Blake M. Riek, Eric W. Mania, and Samuel L. Gaertner, Intergroup Threat and Outgroup…, 168; Reframing outgroups as part of a shared superordinate identity reduces bias — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 564 (+12 more)
• ADDENDUM: The ‘shared bond’/superordinate identity framing parallels the grafting-as-union metaphor in ‘Grafting & Growth’ — bounded groups fused into a larger whole may be civic infrastructure.

Broader Connections

• Reframing outgroups as part of a shared superordinate identity reduces bias #corroborates (0.98) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 564
• Recategorization into a common identity, not cooperation itself, reduces intergroup bias #corroborates (0.90) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 572
• Simultaneous subgroup and superordinate identification reduces intergroup conflict #corroborates (0.90) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 695
• Dual identity merges sub-group distinctiveness with super-group inclusion to reduce conflict #corroborates (0.90)
• A common group identity mediates contact’s bias reduction rather than merely aiding it #expands (0.88) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 572
• A shared superordinate identity can backfire by fueling subgroup in-group projection. #complicates (0.88) — Blake M. Riek, Eric W. Mania, and Samuel L. Gaertner, Intergroup Threat and Outgroup Attitudes, 176
• A dual identity reduces prejudice when it signals progress rather than threat #qualifies (0.85) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 594
• Dual identity reduces bias in some contexts but increases it in others. #complicates (0.85) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 592
• Dual identity reduces intergroup bias when subgroup identities are recognized and valued #qualifies (0.85) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 577
• Increasing cognitive complexity of one’s own identities reduces out-group prejudice without abandoning those identities #expands (0.82) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 587
• Dual identification requires the superordinate group to feel optimally distinct #qualifies (0.80) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 705