Cognitive ability and in-group bias: An experimental study

Fabian Paetzel and Rupert Sausgruber

Journal of Public Economics, 2018, vol. 167, issue C, 280-292

Abstract: We study the role of performance differences in a task requiring cognitive effort on in-group bias. We show that the in-group bias is strong in groups consisting of high-performing members, and it is weak in low-performing groups. This holds although high-performing subjects exhibit no in-group bias as members of minimal groups, whereas low-performing subjects strongly do. We also observe instances of low-performing subjects punishing the in-group favoritism of low-performing peers. The same does not occur in high-performing or minimal groups where subjects generally accept that decisions are in-group biased.

Keywords: Cognitive ability; Group identity; Entitlements; Social preferences; Minimal groups; Punishment; Social norms; Social status (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C92 D31 D63 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Cognitive Ability and In-group Bias: An Experimental Study (2018)
Working Paper: Cognitive Ability and In-group Bias: An Experimental Study (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:167:y:2018:i:c:p:280-292

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2018.04.006

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