The following shows how ingroup and outgroup views develop, with the first step left out:
(A) [missing step]
(B) People are categorised as similar or different by using the words 'we' and 'they'.
(C) Ingroup members are viewed favourably and outgroup members are often perceived negatively.
Which of the following is the missing step (A)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Individuals compare the group they belong to with groups of which they are not a member
(A) [missing step] — Correct. The missing first step is option (1): people compare the group they belong to with groups of which they are not a member. Definite roles by rules or laws mark a formal group, the code-number money split comes from Tajfel's experiment, and seeing the categories as not real is a later reflection, not the start.
(B) People are categorised as similar or different by using the words 'we' and 'they'. — Correct. After the comparison, people use 'we' for ingroup members and 'they' for outgroup members, and so categorise people as similar or different.
(C) Ingroup members are viewed favourably and outgroup members are often perceived negatively. — Correct. Once these categories form, ingroup members are viewed favourably, while outgroup members are often perceived negatively.
NCERT (2026-27): “Ingroup and Outgroup “Box 7.2 differently and are often perceived negatively in comparison to the ingroup members. …” |