Outgroup homogeneity effect

The outgroup homogeneity effect is a psychological phenomenon where people tend to see members of groups they don’t belong to (outgroups) as being very similar to each other, while viewing their own group (the ingroup) as more diverse. For example, a person might think all members of a different nationality behave similarly, while recognizing the individual differences within their own nationality. This can lead to stereotypes and misunderstanding, as it oversimplifies the complexities of individuals in outgroups and can foster prejudice. Recognizing this effect can promote better understanding and acceptance of diversity.