People have an enhanced capacity for empathy towards in-group members
Intertwined with in-group loyalty and favoritism is an enhanced capacity for empathy. For example, the amygdala activates when viewing fearful faces, but only of group members; when it’s an out-group member, Them showing fear might even be good news—if it scares Them, bring it on. Moreover, the reflex of tensing your hand when watching a hand being poked with a needle; the reflex is stronger if it is a same-race hand.
References
- Sapolsky, Robert. (2017). Behave Chapter 11. Us Versus Them (p. 448). New York, NY: Penguin Random House.
Metadata
Type:🔴 Tags: Psychology / Social Psychology / Sociology / Biology / Neuroscience / Neuropsychology Status:☀️