The influence of group categorization and common ingroup identity on malevolent creativity, benevolent creativity, and neutral creativity

Abstract

Group categorization creates intergroup bias. However, the influence of group categorization on malevolent creativity (MC), benevolent creativity (BC), and neutral creativity (NC) remains unclear. First two studies explored this influence. In Study 1 (N = 79), participants generated lower MC and higher BC toward in-group members than out-group members. In Study 2 (N = 102), lower MC and higher BC were generated when participants were primed by in-group identity than by out-group identity. Furthermore, group composition is not static but rather a dynamic process. Individuals may establish a common ingroup identity with out-group members while altering their groups, which can mitigate intergroup bias and promote harmonious intergroup relationships, potentially influencing individuals’ MC, BC, and NC. Therefore, last two studies explored this influence. Study 3 (N = 134) first validated the findings of Study 1. Then, by recategorizing existing groups to establish a common ingroup identity among different groups’ members, finding a common ingroup identity could reduce MC and enhance BC towards out-group members. Study 4 (N = 123) further extended this influence to the priming effect and found even when individuals were primed by different group identities, priming a common ingroup identity can reduce MC and enhance BC toward others. In all studies, NC remained consistently unaffected. In conclusion, group categorization and common ingroup identity can affect MC and BC, but not NC. The AMORAL model, intergroup bias, and common ingroup identity model were used to explain our findings, while limitations and future research directions were discussed in detail.