A Small College student believes all Great Big U students are huge football fans. However, he does not believe all Small College students like football. Some do, some don't. After all, the Small College team is only a couple of years old. What process of "us vs. them" is occurring?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The process of outgroup homogeneity effect is occurring in this scenario. The Small College student is perceiving all members of Great Big U as having a similar trait (being huge football fans), while recognizing the diversity within their own group (some Small College students like football, some don't). This is a common cognitive bias where individuals tend to see members of an outgroup as more similar to each other than members of their own ingroup.

A Small College Student Believes All Great Big U Students