1) What is a minimal group? Describe a typical minimal groups study (e.g., Tajfel et al. 1969), and
explain how the research on minimal groups gives support to the idea that prejudice is a natural,
automatic process. What are the minimal conditions necessary to obtain ingroup favorability?
Explain.
Minimal group paradigm is defined as a social psychology research method that proposes a minimal
condition for group biases. Henri Tajfel was first to introduce research to this particular study and before
his research it was believed that group biases resulted due to personal factors. An experiment began by
placing participants in a group of either A or B based on a random reference such as their favorite color or
shirt preference. By doing so, participants will undertake a favoritism towards members in their group and
prejudice towards participants of other groups. Simply being a part of the same group was enough for the
participants to show bias towards one another, proving that personal factors do not necessarily contribute
to creating biases. Henri’s experiment began by taking high school students to his lab for a study
concerning artistic taste. Based on the student’s preference towards two paintings they were split into two
groups, x or y. The result being favoritism towards members of their own group and therefore backing his
claim. By doing this experiment, Henri shows that prejudice and ingroup favoritism occurs based on
arbitrary groupings. Tajfel’s research provides a great demonstration of an important social psychological
process: individuals recognizing these groups existence is the reasoning behind groups existing. The
determining factor of ingroup favoritism is simply people wanting to feel good about themselves. People
want to feel good about themselves and seeing others in one’s same group helps us do so. It gives us a
feeling of social identity by being a part of a group that has positive characteristics.
