Describe the cognitive processes behind in-group favouritism.

In-group favouritism is driven by cognitive processes such as social categorisation, social identity, and social comparison.

Social categorisation is the first cognitive process that underpins in-group favouritism. It involves classifying people into different groups based on shared characteristics or commonalities. This process is automatic and helps us simplify and navigate the social world. However, it can also lead to bias as we tend to favour those who belong to our own group (in-group) over those who do not (out-group). This is because we perceive in-group members as more similar to us, and therefore more predictable and trustworthy.

The second cognitive process is social identity. This refers to the part of our self-concept that derives from our membership in social groups. We derive a sense of self-esteem and belonging from our social identities, which can lead us to favour our in-group. For example, if we identify strongly with our school, we may be more likely to support our school's sports teams and view them more positively than teams from other schools. This is because our social identity is tied up with the success and positive attributes of our in-group.

Finally, social comparison is another cognitive process that contributes to in-group favouritism. We compare our in-group with out-groups to enhance our self-esteem. If we perceive our in-group as superior, it boosts our self-worth. This can lead to bias as we may exaggerate the positive qualities of our in-group and downplay or ignore its negative aspects. Similarly, we may exaggerate the negative qualities of out-groups and downplay or ignore their positive aspects.

In conclusion, in-group favouritism is a complex phenomenon that is driven by several cognitive processes. These processes help us make sense of the social world, but they can also lead to bias and discrimination. Understanding these processes can help us become more aware of our biases and work towards reducing them.