Tajfel et al (1971)

#stu

Tajfel et al. (1971) Study Overview

Aim

The study aimed to investigate if mere categorization into groups is sufficient to induce discriminatory behavior among individuals.

Method

• Participants: The study involved schoolboys who were randomly assigned to different groups.
• Procedure: The boys were categorized based on trivial criteria (e.g., preference for paintings by Kandinsky or Klee). Participants were asked to allocate points to members of their own group (in-group) and the other group (out-group).

Results

• In-group Favoritism: Tajfel et al. found that participants tended to favor members of their own group over those in the out-group.
• Discrimination: The study revealed a tendency for intergroup discrimination based solely on group membership, even when the group assignment was arbitrary and meaningless.

Conclusion

The study concluded that mere categorization into groups is enough to trigger in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination. This phenomenon was later termed the "minimal group paradigm."

Methodological Considerations

• Random Assignment and Control: The study's strength lies in its random assignment of participants to groups, which minimizes pre-existing differences. However, the artificial nature of the groups and tasks may limit the ecological validity of the findings.
• Simplicity of Task: While the simplicity of the point allocation task ensures clarity and focus on group behavior, it may not accurately reflect the complexities of real-world group dynamics and discrimination.

Ethical Implications

• Inducing Discrimination: The study intentionally creates a situation where participants discriminate against others. This raises ethical questions about the potential psychological impact on participants, especially considering they were schoolboys.