Explaining the Outgroup Favoritism Phenomenon from the Perspective of Social Identity Theory

Abstract

There are various findings showing that low social status (disadvantaged/minority) groups display a positive attitude towards high-status groups in certain situations where power and status differences are involved. System Justification Theorists claim that these findings reflect the phenomenon of out-group favoritism, and criticize Social Identity Theory (SIT) for failing to satisfactorily explain this phenomenon. The main purpose of this literature review is to compile the theoretical explanations and research findings produced in the context of SIT regarding the positive attitude of the low-status groups towards the high-status groups and to discuss them based on the motivation to maintain a positive social identity. In the literature review, four theoretical explanations and various findings supporting these explanations were reached. Two of these explanations are that those who positively evaluate the high-status group may either be those who follow the individual mobility strategy and define themselves based on the high-status group, or those who follow the superordinate re-categorization strategy, which includes uniting the high-status group with their group under a common in-group identity. Another explanation is that the members who accept the power/competence of the out-group in the dimension determining the status are those who put forward the alternative dimensions in which their group is more successful and who give more value to these dimensions in order to create a more positive identity perception compared to the out-group. The fourth explanation points out that this tendency reflects a passive acceptance of social reality regarding the status system. There are findings in the literature supporting all four explanations. The explanations and findings point out that this tendency of low-status groups -even though it ensures the continuity of the existing system- does not conflict with the motivation of defending, protecting, and supporting ingroup identity.