Ingroup Closeness Obstructs Objective Evaluation Of Outsiders
When evaluating people outside their own group, humans tend to be biased towards them negatively due to social identity and emotional attachments. This can lead to problems in teamwork, hiring processes, and intercultural relations. The article explores the psychological mechanisms behind this phenomenon and provides strategies for overcoming it.
Psychology Behind Ingroup Closeness And Outgroup Bias
When we interact with people who belong to different groups than ourselves, we may feel an instinctual sense of closeness or connection to those from within our own group. This is known as ingroup bias, and it can manifest itself in various ways, including favoritism, loyalty, and protectionism.
This ingroup bias can also prevent us from objectively evaluating outsiders and can lead to negative stereotypes and prejudices.
If someone belongs to a different ethnicity or religion than us, we may automatically assume they are less trustworthy, intelligent, or hardworking.
Social Identity Theory
Social identity theory suggests that individuals derive their sense of self-esteem and belongingness from the groups they identify with. When we perceive someone as being part of our own group, we experience positive feelings like pride and affiliation, which reinforce our sense of identity. On the other hand, when someone does not belong to our group, we may experience negative feelings like fear and threat, leading to discrimination and hostility.
Evolutionary Explanations
Evolutionary psychologists propose that ingroup closeness evolved as a survival mechanism, allowing humans to work together towards common goals and protect themselves against external threats. This may explain why we have such strong emotional ties to members of our own group, but it can also make us blind to the strengths and weaknesses of others.
Overcoming Ingroup Closeness And Objectively Evaluating Outsiders
Despite its natural origins, overcoming ingroup closeness and objectively evaluating outsiders is crucial for effective teamwork, hiring processes, and intercultural relations. Here are some strategies for doing so:
Cultivate Empathy And Awareness
To overcome ingroup bias, we must first cultivate empathy and awareness by acknowledging our biases and actively trying to see things from different perspectives.
If you're interviewing job candidates from diverse backgrounds, take time to understand their experiences and values before making judgments.
Use Structured Decision-Making Processes
Structured decision-making processes can help minimize the influence of unconscious biases on evaluation.
When choosing a candidate for a job opening, use objective criteria like qualifications, skills, and experience rather than personal preferences or prejudices.
Seek Diverse Viewpoints
Seeking out diverse viewpoints and opinions can help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of other groups. By listening to multiple perspectives, we can better evaluate the pros and cons of each option and avoid falling into negative stereotypes.
Practice Active Listening
Active listening involves paying close attention to what someone says without interrupting, responding with curiosity, and asking follow-up questions to clarify points. This practice helps build trust and understanding between individuals from different groups, which in turn fosters positive relationships.
Ingroup closeness obstructs objective evaluation of outsiders because it leads to negative stereotyping and discrimination based on social identity and emotional attachments. To overcome this obstacle, we must cultivate empathy and awareness, use structured decision-making processes, seek diverse viewpoints, and practice active listening. With these strategies, we can create more inclusive and effective teams, hiring practices, and intercultural relations.
How does ingroup closeness obstruct objective evaluation of outsiders?
Ingroup closeness can create bias that makes it difficult for individuals to evaluate others objectively due to their affinity with members within the same group. This is because they may find themselves relating more to certain characteristics associated with people from their group than those outside it, resulting in biased judgment towards outsiders.