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Psychological Phenomena

Minimal Group Paradigm

Social Biases and Group Effects

The minimal group paradigm is a research method used in social psychology to investigate the minimal conditions needed for discrimination to arise between groups. Studies using it have found that even arbitrary distinctions, such as a stated preference for one painter's work over another's or the color of a shirt, are enough to trigger favoritism toward one's own group and against another, even when the favoritism costs the in-group something to grant it and the participants have no history, face-to-face contact or personal stake tied to the group they were assigned. The paradigm remains one of the most widely used tools for studying the psychological basis of intergroup bias.

Facts
Core Claim
A social psychology research method best known for investigating the minimal conditions required for discrimination to occur between groups. 1
Classification
Type of Phenomenon
Social or Interpersonal Phenomenon 1
Connections

In Branch

Source Wikipedia: Minimal group paradigm
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Minimal group paradigm
  • Lead, second sentence
    it is best known as a method for investigating the minimal conditions required for discrimination to occur between groups.
  • lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
    The minimal group paradigm is a method employed in social psychology.
  • In Branch: Social Psychology, Lead
    The minimal group paradigm is a method employed in social psychology.
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