Four researchers designed group studies with schoolchildren. Study th…

Four researchers designed group studies with schoolchildren. Study the table and identify the study that follows the minimal group paradigm.

Study	Basis of grouping	Identity of group members	Task
P	Preference for paintings by one of two artists	Hidden by code numbers	Distribute money between recipients
Q	Long-standing rival school teams	Hidden by code numbers	Distribute money between recipients
R	Preference for paintings by one of two artists	Known by name; members meet and talk	Distribute money between recipients
S	Preference for paintings by one of two artists	Hidden by code numbers	Rate the quality of the paintings

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 1

The correct answer is Option (1) → Study P

Option (1) Study P — Correct. Study P has all three features of the minimal group paradigm: grouping on a flimsy criterion (preference for paintings), identities hidden by code numbers, and money distributed between recipients.

Option (2) Study Q — Incorrect. Rival teams have a past history. The minimal groups were made on a criterion with no past history or future.

Option (3) Study R — Incorrect. In the experiment the identity of other members was hidden, so the children could not meet or know them.

Option (4) Study S — Incorrect. Rating paintings does not show group favour. The children's task was to distribute money between recipients.

NCERT (2026-27): “Ingroup and Outgroup …
Tajfel and his colleagues were interested in knowing the minimal conditions for intergroup behaviour. ‘Minimal group paradigm’ was developed to answer this question. British schoolboys expressed their preference for paintings by two artists — Vassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee. Children were told that it was an experiment on decision-making. They knew the Kandinsky group”

“groups in which they were grouped ( group members was hidden using code numbers. The children then distributed money between recipients only by code number and group membership.”

“7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 You will agree that these groups were created on a flimsy criterion (i.e. preference for paintings by two artists) which had no past history or future. Yet, results showed that children favoured their own group.”