Question

Shama and Rehana grew up together and had the same set of friends. Later, they also joined the same college. Shama formed a new group of friends in college. Initially, Rehana was also a part of this group but later felt out of place and joined another group. Shama felt her group consisted of fun-loving individuals as compared to Rehana’s group.

1. ldentify the two types of groups referred to above.  [2]
2. Comment on Shama’s views on her group and Rehana’s group.  [2]

Answer 1

(i) Shyama and Rehana were close growing up and attended the same college. However, as college started, things began to change. Shyama formed a new set of friends, and Rehana initially joined them. However, she felt she did not fit them. She joined another group where she felt more comfortable. Shyama finds her group more enjoyable and dynamic than Rehana’s. We often have a stronger connection with those we spend the majority of our time with and see them positively. Psychologists refer to this as “in-group bias.”

The two sorts of groupings discussed here are:

• In-group: It refers to an individual’s sense of belonging (e.g., Shama’s group).
• Out-group: A group to which an individual does not belong and might consider differently (e.g., Rehana’s group from Shama’s viewpoint).

(ii) Shama’s view that her group is “more fun” is a psychological term known as in-group bias. This refers to the tendency to perceive one’s own group positively compared to others. Shama favors her group because she identifies with it, however she dislikes Rehana’s group because it is an out-group. This idea is common and originates from a desire to belong and feel loyal to one’s organization.