A class is divided randomly into two teams for a game of Jeopardy. Tamara, the captain of the winning team, is informed that as a prize she can either get twenty pieces of candy for her team, with the losing team getting ten pieces, or she can get fifteen pieces while the losing team gets none. Based on research using the minimal group paradigm, what prize is Tamara most likely to select?
A) twenty pieces for her team and ten for the losing team
B) fifteen pieces for her team and zero for the losing team
C) She is likely to request that the two teams split the candy evenly.
D) She will have no preference between the two prize options.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research using the minimal group paradigm suggests that individuals are more motivated to maximize the outcomes for their own group, even at the expense of the other group. Tamara, as the captain of the winning team, is likely to prioritize the interests of her own team and select the option that gives them the most candy, even if it means the losing team gets nothing. Therefore, she is most likely to select option B.

A Class Is Divided Randomly into Two Teams for a Game