ingroup

Ingroup is a social group to which an individual psychologically identifies as a member. This identification forms part of a person’s social identity and is characterized by a sense of belonging, shared values, and common goals. The ingroup is contrasted with the outgroup, consisting of people perceived as not belonging to the same group. Membership may be explicit or based on perceived similarities such as ethnicity, nationality, religion, profession, or fandom, and can also arise from minimal or arbitrary criteria.

The concept is central to social identity theory, which posits that people strive to maintain or enhance self-esteem through association with valued groups. A well-documented phenomenon is ingroup bias, the tendency to favor and positively evaluate members of one’s own group while discriminating against or undervaluing the outgroup. Ingroup bias can arise from cooperation, competition, and the desire for distinctiveness, and has been demonstrated even in experimentally assigned minimal groups.

Ingroup dynamics influence attitudes, cooperation, conflict, and resource allocation. People may adopt ingroup norms, display loyalty, and experience pressure to conform. Individuals often belong to multiple ingroups that vary across contexts, leading to complex identities and potential cross-cutting affiliations that can reduce intergroup hostility.

Methodologically, ingroup identification is measured through self-report scales, behavioral tasks, and observation of group-based behaviors. The ingroup concept has been extended to explain ethnocentrism, patriotism, team loyalty, and organizational culture. Critics note that focusing on ingroups and outgroups can oversimplify social life and that cultural context shapes group boundaries.