The Impact of Self-Categorization on Motivations and Willingness to Help an Outgroup

Abstract

Do motivations and willingness to help an outgroup differ depending on how one is self-categorized at the time of helping? A helper who is currently self-categorized as an individual (engaged in cross-group helping) may have different motivations for providing help to an outgroup than a helper who is currently self-categorized as a group member (engaged in intergroup helping). Participants (N = 240) completed an online questionnaire preceded by a manipulation priming self-categorization as either an individual or a group member, with no manipulation provided in a control condition. Participants self-categorizing as individuals (versus group members) were more willing to provide help to an outgroup, and inclusion of the outgroup in the self and empathy proved to be important motivations for this helping. These findings provide initial evidence that willingness to provide help to an outgroup and motivations for doing so will present differently depending on the level of self-categorization of the helper.