PsychologySocial Influence and Group Processes

When a person uses the word 'we' for one group and 'they' for another…

When a person uses the word 'we' for one group and 'they' for another, people are thereby being placed in which of the following categories?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → Similar or different

The two pronouns do not describe structure or membership rules; they mark whether others are seen as similar to oneself or as different.

NCERT (2026-27): “Ingroup and Outgroup …
For ingroup members, we use the word ‘we’ while for outgroup members, the word ‘they’ is used. By using the words they and we, one is categorising people as similar or different. …”