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Cui F, Deng K, Liu J, Huang X, Yang J, Luo YJ, Feng C, Gu R. Resource scarcity aggravates ingroup bias: Neural mechanisms and cross-scenario validation. Br J Psychol 2023; 114:778-796. [PMID: 37010697 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies examining the relationship between ingroup bias and resource scarcity have produced heterogeneous findings, possibly due to their focus on the allocation of positive resources (e.g. money). This study aims to investigate whether ingroup bias would be amplified or eliminated when perceived survival resources for counteracting negative stimuli are scarce. For this purpose, we exposed the participants and another confederate of the experimenters (ingroup/outgroup member) to a potential threat of unpleasant noise. Participants received some 'relieving resources' to counteract noise administration, the amount of which may or may not be enough for them and the confederate in different conditions (i.e. abundance vs. scarcity). First, a behavioural experiment demonstrated that intergroup discrimination manifested only in the scarcity condition; in contrast, the participants allocated similar amounts of resource to ingroup and outgroup members in the abundance condition, indicating a context-dependent allocation strategy. This behavioural pattern was replicated in a follow-up neuroimaging experiment, which further revealed that when contrasting scarcity with abundance, there was higher activation in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) as well as stronger functional connectivity of the ACC with the empathy network (including the temporoparietal junction and medial prefrontal cortex) for ingroup compared to outgroup members. We suggest that ACC activation reflects the mentalizing process toward ingroup over outgroup members in the scarcity condition. Finally, the ACC activation level significantly predicted the influence of resource scarcity on ingroup bias in hypothetical real-life situations according to a follow-up examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Cui
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Kexin Deng
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Huang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jiamiao Yang
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Yue-Jia Luo
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Affective and Social Neuroscience, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Center, Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Chunliang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, South China Normal University, Ministry of Education, 510631, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruolei Gu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Caricati L, Moscato G, Bonetti C. Intergroup alliance orientation among intermediate-status group members: The role of stability of social stratification. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235931. [PMID: 32706771 PMCID: PMC7380587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Three studies have tested the hypothesis that intermediate-status groups are more oriented to ally with outgroups when their social position is under threat. In study 1, participants believed that their ingroup was intermediate in status and social stratification was manipulated as either stable or status-detrimental unstable. Results indicated that participants were more likely to seek alliances a) with a high-status group and b) when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable. Study 2 showed that participants were more likely to seek alliances with a lower status group when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable rather than stable, while they were supportive of policies helping disadvantaged groups regardless of the stability of social stratification. Study 3 showed that when social stratification was status-detrimental unstable, intermediate-status group members were more oriented to ally with a low-status group, equally supportive of policies helping disadvantaged groups, but less oriented to supplying direct help to a low-status group.
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Caricati L. Considering intermediate-status groups in intergroup hierarchies: A theory of triadic social stratification. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/jts5.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Caricati
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries; University of Parma
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Caricati L, Sollami A. Contrasting explanations for status-legitimacy effects based on system justification theory and social identity theory. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/jts5.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Caricati
- Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Industries; University of Parma
| | - Alfonso Sollami
- Department of Medicine and Surgery; Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma
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Marletta G, Sarli L, Caricati L, Mancini T. Intergroup contact and team functioning among nursing students: the mediation role of intergroup anxiety. ACTA BIO-MEDICA : ATENEI PARMENSIS 2017; 88:37-42. [PMID: 28752831 DOI: 10.23750/abm.v88i3 -s.6612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK The improvement of team effectivity is one of the main concerns for healthcare organizations. Moreover, healthcare organizations must cope with increasing multicultural composition of both workforce and patients. The intergroup contact theory suggests that frequent and positive face-to-face contact among professionals or students with different cultural heritage can help to reach both increasing team effectiveness and adequate care in a multicultural setting. The aim was then to verify whether intergroup contact during practical training would decrease intergroup anxiety and then increase team functioning. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used in which a questionnaire was delivered to 83 nursing students. RESULTS According to the intergroup contact theory, frequent and positive contact with non-native professionals decreased the intergroup anxiety which, in turn, increased prejudice and, more importantly, decreased team functioning. Moreover, intergroup anxiety showed a complete mediation effect on the relations between intergroup contact during practical training and both negative attitude toward immigrants and team functioning. CONCLUSIONS Intergroup contact with non-native professionals or students during practical training is able to indirectly decrease prejudice and improve team functioning by lowering the anxiety that is aroused by encounter with non-native individuals.
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Caricati L, Sollami A. Perceived legitimacy follows in-group interests: Evidence from intermediate-status groups. BRITISH JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2016; 56:197-206. [PMID: 27861996 DOI: 10.1111/bjso.12174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Revised: 10/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In two experiments, the effect of (in)stability of status differences on the perception of perspective legitimacy and in-group threat among intermediate-status group members (i.e., nurses students or nurses) was analysed. Both studies indicated that in downwardly unstable condition, legitimacy was lower and in-group threat was higher than in stable condition. In upwardly unstable condition, perceived legitimacy was higher and in-group threat was lower than in stable condition. The indirect effects of (in)stability via in-group threat on perceived legitimacy were significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Caricati
- Department of Arts and Literature, History and Social Studies, University of Parma, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Italy
| | - Alfonso Sollami
- Department of Arts and Literature, History and Social Studies, University of Parma, Italy.,Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Parma, Italy
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Michailova S, Mustaffa Z, Barner-Rasmussen W. Subsidiaries of Multinational Corporations. JOURNAL OF LEADERSHIP & ORGANIZATIONAL STUDIES 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/1548051816633071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article analyzes allegiances of three groups of employees in foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises—parent country nationals, host country nationals, and third country nationals. Building on, but different from existing work, we broaden the focus of inquiry from expatriates at the managerial level to (a) include other categories of subsidiary employees and (b) incorporate in our analysis host country nationals rather than focus exclusively on expatriates. We explore the notion that the allegiances of subsidiary employees may be conceptualized as being split among three potential objects of allegiance, namely the focal subsidiary, the headquarters, and the subsidiary host country. Our key arguments are summarized in a framework, complemented with a set of theoretical propositions and implications for future research and practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zaidah Mustaffa
- The University of Auckland Business School, Auckland, New Zealand
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Caricati L, Monacelli N. Intergroup Biases of the Intermediate-Status Group: The Effect of Stability and Instability of Social Stratification. The Journal of Social Psychology 2012; 152:713-26. [DOI: 10.1080/00224545.2012.691572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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