In social psychology, what does 'ingroup bias' refer to?

• A. The tendency to prefer new experiences over familiar ones
• B. The tendency to favor one's own group over other groups
• C. The equal treatment of all groups
• D. The inclination to question the values of other groups

Answer: (B)

'Ingroup bias' refers specifically to the tendency to favor one's own group over other groups. This phenomenon is rooted in social identity theory, which posits that individuals derive part of their self-concept from the groups with which they identify. As a result, people are often inclined to support, trust, and feel loyalty towards members of their own group (the ingroup) while harboring negative feelings or skepticism towards those outside of it (the outgroup).

This bias can manifest in various ways, such as preferential treatment in social interactions, resource allocation, or even in judgments about abilities and behaviors. It highlights the human tendency to bond with those who share similar characteristics, experiences, or beliefs, which can strengthen group cohesion but also lead to prejudice or discrimination against others.

In contrast, options discussing the preference for new experiences, equal treatment of all groups, or questioning the values of other groups do not capture the essence of ingroup bias and focus instead on different psychological phenomena or perspectives.