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Institutions, Parasites and the Persistence of In-group Preferences

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  • Daniel J Hruschka
  • Joseph Henrich

Abstract

Much research has established reliable cross-population differences in motivations to invest in one’s in-group. We compare two current historical-evolutionary hypotheses for this variation based on (1) effective large-scale institutions and (2) pathogen threats by analyzing cross-national differences (N = 122) in in-group preferences measured in three ways. We find that the effectiveness of government institutions correlates with favoring in-group members, even when controlling for pathogen stress and world region, assessing reverse causality, and providing a check on endogeneity with an instrumental variable analysis. Conversely, pathogen stress shows inconsistent associations with in-group favoritism when controlling for government effectiveness. Moreover, pathogen stress shows little to no association with in-group favoritism within major world regions whereas government effectiveness does. These results suggest that variation in in-group preferences across contemporary nation-states is more consistent with a generalized response to institutions that meet basic needs rather than an evolved response dedicated to pathogens.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel J Hruschka & Joseph Henrich, 2013. "Institutions, Parasites and the Persistence of In-group Preferences," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-9, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0063642
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063642
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    3. Balabanis, George & Siamagka, Nikoletta Theofania, 2022. "A meta-analysis of consumer ethnocentrism across 57 countries," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 745-763.
    4. Kammas, Pantelis & Sarantides, Vassilis, 2024. "Historical pathogen prevalence and the radius of trust," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    5. Kok, Lucille & Oosterbaan, Veerle & Stoker, Hester & Vyrastekova, Jana, 2020. "In-group favouritism and social norms: Public goods experiments in Tanzania," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    6. Kyriacou, Andreas P., 2016. "Individualism–collectivism, governance and economic development," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 91-104.
    7. Fredriksson, Per G. & Mohanty, Aatishya, 2021. "Sunlight and Culture," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 757-782.

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