PsychologyAugust 31, 2026

ingroup

IN-groop

Definition

A group to which a person belongs and with which they identify, often serving as a psychological basis for distinguishing 'us' from 'them'.

Etymology

The term is a combination of the preposition 'in' and the noun 'group,' first appearing in early 20th-century sociology to describe the social psychological divide between one's own primary group and outsiders.

In the news

In the article, the term refers to the media platforms and political parties that a person identifies with and belongs to. Researchers found that relying exclusively on ingroup media sources may fail to correct—or even potentially worsen—prejudices toward those outside that group.

Researchers identify a simple way to soften deep political divides

Read the full article ↗

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