When it comes to Cricket, we all stand united. Why not? We are crazy about cricket. Isn't it?

When it comes for a match between India and Pakistan, we all cheer and motivate our team. We even
indulge in various rituals like hawan/pooja, as we want to win and rejoice at any chance.

The entire country forms a large group, and we see the common goal, and we start seeing the other
team and their supporters as outgroup.

While we cheer our team and the players, we also start criticising the other team and even at times
quarrel with the supporters who support another team whom we have never met before.

This is not because of any personal qualm but because of the in-group favouritism and bias towards our
team and the identity we possess as per the social identity theory. The ingroup vs outgroup behaviour
and the identity we form because of the love for cricket and the country we belong to forming a group.

This situation gradually changes, and we switch our identity when we play IPL. During IPL, our national
team is divided forming separate teams which also includes players from various countries. In this
scenario, we form separate identities and support teams of our choice. We support Chennai Super Kings
(Just an example) as we like Dhoni and Raina. In that case, we belong to a group of people who have a
similar preference, and we start favouring our team while considering other teams like Kolkata Night
Riders as outgroups and start the common ingroup versus outgroup behaviour.

This is a typical example of SIT, and we imbibe the in-group favouritism, biasedness toward outgroup,
and other traits as per the SIT discussed by Tajfel.

We can see similar examples in our day to day life citing the same theory.

While formulating groups, we bond together with those whom we see like us as we can protect
ourselves from those who might harm us. We build our own fences and keep outsiders away and allow
us to continue with our daily life feeling secure and protected.

We can try to avoid the ingroup-outgroup trap with the following:

1. Considering yourself in the place of outgroup member. We can try replacing our self in others
situation and realize how painful it can be if we behave otherwise

2. Build your inner sense of security. We are more likely to stereotype when we feel there is something
to lose. If we are more confident about our own identity, we will be less likely to criticize someone else.

3. Look for similarities between opposing groups. As per our example, both teams equally love the game
of cricket. There are basic human needs that go beyond particular labels.
There are ways to overcome the ingroup-outgroup bias, but it takes effort. As we enjoy the celebrations
of our favourite team winning the IPL match with balloons, fireworks and parties, it's important to
realize that underneath the team flags, we are all part of one country.

Reference:

Henry, E.A., Bartholow, B.D., & Arndt, J. (2010). Death on the brain: Effects of mortality salience on the
neural correlates of ingroup and outgroup categorization. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience,
5, 77-87.