In-Group/
Out-Group Bias
One important question that must be asked is why do such vastly different groups put new
members through these similar situations?
There are several reasons behind these actions, some of which are to test the newcomers,
increase cohesion, and increase conformity. The group must decide whether or not the
prospective members are right for the organization and vice versa for the new members
deciding about the group. Cohesion can grow by bringing everyone closer together
through these tests imposed on the new members. Finally, by increasing conformity
they will fit into the group better also adding to the cohesiveness (Vaught & Smith,
1980). It is important to realize that these actions are not limited to Greek
organizations. They also occur in athletics and even in the workplace.
There are normally five steps with the addition of a new member including:
- investigation
- socialization
- maintenance
- resocialization
- remembrance
The investigation stage occurs when members try to test the initiates. The socialization phase is very critical because at this point the group attempts to change the individual so that he or she can contribute more to the group achievements (Moreland & Levine, 1989).
One of the results of this process is the forming of an in-group and out-group bias. These terms are very self-explanatory. A person becomes more favorably inclined towards the members of his or her own group (in-group bias) and treats the members of other groups less favorably (out-group bias). Usually this also means the person associates more desirable and positive traits to their in-group members as opposed to
out-group members.
Individuals also tend to overestimate the similarities within groups and the
dissimilarities between groups. That means the person sees the individuals in
another group as being very alike (out-group homogeneity effect), but they see the
differences between separate groups as being much greater than they actually are.
These tendencies cause a person to be more loyal to his or her own group and less so
towards others. Theoretically, the contributions that each person gives to the
organization should increase because of the desire to please the group. In summary, these actions have the purpose of increasing the individual’s loyalty to the group. As a result of this loyalty, their contributions to the group also increase. Unfortunately, these same initiation rites can also cause more inter-group bias to develop between the in-group and the out-group.
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