Ingroup Bias Examples: How Our Biased Brain Shapes Everyday Choices

The Biased Brain Podcast with Owen Hawthorne

Explore the intriguing world of cognitive biases and human cognition in this engaging podcast. Discover how bias in decision making shapes our perceptions and influences our choices. Join us as we delve into the science behind critical thinking and biases, providing practical insights to enhance your understanding and control over your thought processes. Whether you're a psychology student or curious observer, this podcast offers valuable tools to help you unveil the hidden biases in your mind.

Understanding Ingroup Bias: Everyday Examples of Our Biased Brain

Have you ever noticed how people tend to favor their friends, family, or even just their own group over others? That’s a classic example of what psychologists call ingroup bias. It’s one of those fascinating quirks in human cognition that often goes unnoticed but plays a huge role in our day-to-day lives. I thought today I’d just casually chat about what ingroup bias really looks like, share some examples you’ve probably experienced (or even contributed to!), and explain why recognizing this bias is so crucial for sharpening our critical thinking and biases.

So, what exactly is ingroup bias? At its core, it’s the tendency for people to prefer and prioritize members of their “ingroup” — basically the group they identify with — over those in an “outgroup.” This could be anything from your family, your circle of friends, your workplace team, your hometown crowd, or even your political party. The interesting thing is that this bias isn’t just about liking those we’re close to; it also impacts how fairly we judge others and the decisions we make.

Let’s take some real-life examples, starting with something simple: sports. Picture a big game between two local teams. Fans of each team will usually believe their team is more talented or deserving of winning, often overlooking their own team’s mistakes but harshly judging the other. This favoritism isn’t just about fun rivalry; it’s a classic case of bias in decision making where emotions and group loyalty cloud objective judgment.

Another common arena where ingroup bias shows up is the workplace. Imagine two departments competing for budget or recognition. Employees will naturally root for their own team, sometimes highlighting the strengths of their department while downplaying or even ignoring accomplishments from others. This kind of bias can cause unnecessary tension and hurt collaboration but feels totally normal because our human cognition often “rewires” itself to protect the group we’re most connected to.

Political affiliations provide a more intense example. You’ve probably seen this one play out on social media or among friends. People tend to support news sources or politicians aligned with their party and are skeptical—even dismissive—of opposing viewpoints. This is ingroup bias on steroids, and it’s a big reason why critical thinking and biases awareness are so important. Without recognizing this, it’s easy to fall into echo chambers where we only see information that confirms what we already believe.

Family dynamics are another prime example. You might notice parents being softer on their own kids’ mistakes or grandkids’ quirks compared to others. Or siblings defending each other’s actions even when outsiders would see faults more clearly. This natural favoritisim is a form of ingroup bias that, while protective and loving, can sometimes cloud judgment and fairness.

One thing that makes ingroup bias particularly intriguing is how automatic it can be. We often don’t even realize we’re favoring our own group. This is a perfect example of what the book, The Biased Brain by Bo Bennett, PhD, calls the “biased brain” — our minds are wired to make quick judgments that can sometimes favor our own without us consciously deciding to do so. Understanding cognitive biases like ingroup bias helps us see these mental shortcuts more clearly, ultimately improving our decision-making skills and interpersonal relationships.

So why does ingroup bias exist? Evolutionarily speaking, it helped our ancestors survive — sticking with the tribe meant safety, more resources, and stronger social bonds. But in modern times, these instincts can lead to unfair treatment of others or missed opportunities for cooperation and empathy across different groups.

When you start to notice ingroup bias in action, it can become a powerful tool for self-awareness. The next time you catch yourself favoring one group over another, pause and ask, “Am I being truly fair here, or is my brain just on autopilot, favoring my own?” This kind of mindfulness is the bedrock of critical thinking and biases, helping us step outside our biased brains for a second and make more balanced judgments.

If you’re curious and want to go further, I highly recommend checking out The Biased Brain by Bo Bennett, PhD. It’s packed with insights and practical tips on how to recognize and manage cognitive biases like ingroup bias. Trust me, exploring this book can really expand your understanding of human cognition and help you think more clearly in a world full of mental shortcuts.

Explore the book and unravel the secrets of your mind today! It’s a great step toward mastering how your brain works and becoming more aware of how bias in decision making can shape your everyday perceptions and actions.

Mitigate the Effects of Cognitive Biases and Become More Reasonable Register for the Online Course and Engage in Passive "Micro-learning" link Enroll Today