Exploring the role of belonging in intergroup discrimination

Abstract

Three studies were conducted to investigate the relationship between belonging and intergroup discrimination. In this instance, discrimination refers to negatively biased behaviour, marginalisation, disenfranchisment, or, more specifically a lack of favouritism where the latter might be applied to one’s ingroup. Studies one and two assessed belonging as an outcome of intergroup discrimination. Study three assessed belonging as an outcome of discrimination and as a predictor of discrimination. Study one revealed that New Zealanders who evaluated ingroup members more positively than outgroup members (i.e., Americans) experienced increased levels of belonging. Study two revealed that New Zealanders who gave more white noise to outgroup members (i.e., Asians) than ingroup members experienced increased levels of belonging. Study three, like study one and two, found that New Zealanders who gave more white noise to the outgroup (i.e., Americans) experienced elevated levels of belonging. Study three also explored the role of ostracism and revealed that participants who were ostracised displayed approximately three times more intergroup discrimination than included participants. Together these findings provide evidence to suggest that various forms of intergroup discrimination can facilitate increased levels of belonging and that threats to belonging can facilitate increased levels of intergroup discrimination.