INGROUP BIAS
In Social psychology and sociology, an ingroup is a social selection to which one psychologically identifies as being part of or a member. On the other hand, an outgroup refers to a social group that one is termed as a misfit or not, and the individual does not identify. Groupings are resolute by factors fundamental to who we are, but in different cases, they are reached arbitrarily. The ingroup and outgroup divisions can be based on age, sex, race, or ethnicity, where if you do not belong to the named groups as the rest, you are an outgroup. The existence of diversity does not necessarily mean weakness, but at times there is beauty and strength associated with that. When hiring a workforce in a company, the probability of that company to thrive is high since workers share different ideas and perspectives. Due to their backgrounds, there is greater creativity. An account on advanced customer understanding is enhanced as customers are from different social groups like the workers, so attendance on their demands is easily met.
In my early days as I began my journey in my career, I happened to be an outgroup in a company that accepted to offer me a job in a local area. I luckily got a job at the front desk of a communication company where we dealt with all customers who had an interest in the company services. Being in a new environment far from my own made me an outgroup at both the workplace and the surroundings. Clients who came for the services preferred to talk to a service provider from the locality other than me because they assumed I could not understand them. The rejection made me feel discouraged by my job, and anyone could consider resigning at that point. At the company, being an outgroup came with a golden chance as I was expected to share my ideas from a perspective of my background to enhance the customer service strategies. I received many friends who wanted me to share more on how we do things from my locality as I was also being taught the dos and the don’ts of the company. My fear of diversity was fading away, and in my workplace, I restored my zeal to influence and be productive in my career.
There are several solutions to cases of ingroup and outgroup favoritism that, if taken care of, the world can be a better place for all. To overcome the bias nature, you do not filter information that acts as a challenge to your own opinions without adequate justification. You should ensure you do not bias yourself, and your impressions and assumptions are precise. Enquire from different cultures non what they expect and what they value and respect. Again, it creates a tendency to ask or observe the source of motivation to others and reflect on them. If a colleague unexpectedly responds to you, be free to enquire about their thoughts and why respectfully. Acceptance of diversity and gathering enough information on your environment can kick away the ingroup outgroup decadence.