Ingroup bias and its Effect on Empathy, Measured using Psychophysiological Techniques

Ingroup bias can affect the level of empathy an individual feels for an outgroup member. Previous research suggests that this effect is persistent even if the two groups are only separated by an arbitrary distinction. In the current study, participants were assigned to a red or blue team, ostensibly based upon their score on a questionnaire. Psychophysiological measures including facial electromyography (EMG), electrodermal response (EDR), and electrocardiography (ECG) were recorded while participants viewed videos of team members either receiving needle (pain) or cotton bud (no pain) stimulation to the cheek. Scenarios designed to elicit empathy were also presented, and these were accompanied with images of red, blue or neutral team members. It was predicted that overall there would be increased negative affect (corrugator activity) and decreased positive affect (zygomaticus + obicularis oculi activity) for the empathy inducing clips and scenarios when the target and the participant matched teams (ingroup) compared to when they were from different teams (outgroup). Secondly, it was predicted that ECG and EDR responses would be greater for ingroup compared to outgroup conditions. The role of moderating variables ingroup bias and trait empathy were also explored. The results did not support the central hypotheses. However there were differences in positive affect for high ingroup bias participants. In that they displayed the most positive affect when seeing an outgroup member receive pain. This is consistent with the concept of "schadenfreude," which is the emotion of taking pleasure out of another's misfortune. Limitations of this study and theoretical implications for future research are explored