What do the terms In-Group and Out-Group mean?

In-Group - The term in-group is another way of saying the majority. The in-group is the group of people who feel they are different and better than those people who they are prejudiced against. Members of the in-group believe in certain stereotypes, which cause them to maintain certain social -isms. They are also responsible for discriminating against people who are different from them in some respect.

Out-Group - The term out-group means those people in the minority. The out-group is seen as different, abnormal, and often times less human than those of the in-group. Members of the out-group are the stereotyped by the in-group, and are the major victims of social -isms and discrimination.



An example of In-Group versus Out-Group is heterosexuals versus homosexuals. Heterosexuals see themselves as "normal" and are the majority, making them the in-group. Homosexuals, on the other hand, are seen as abnormal and unacceptable, which makes them members of the out-group. The members of the in-group stereotype all homosexuals, regardless of their personality or other individual qualities. Many heterosexuals are heterosexist (prejudiced agains homosexuals and bisexuals), and discriminate against these members of the out-group.