Abstract
Past research has shown that we are more inclined to resonate on a neural level with people who are similar to us (ingroup members) compared to people who are perceived to be less similar (outgroup members) to us (e.g. Keller, Knoblich, & Repp, 2007). The aim of this study was to test if people resonate with outgroup members once that person becomes an important player in successfully completing a task. The current study examined neural activity during cross-group competition in a joint-Simon task computer game. Neural activity was measured using electroencephalography (EEG) while participants observed an ingroup member compete against or cooperate with an outgroup member. Results showed greater neural resonance activity while anticipating actions by ingroup members compared to outgroup members. The readiness potential (a negative shift in activity over frontal and central electrode just before a response is made; Luck, p. 47) was greater while viewing ingroup members versus outgroup members, independent of the goal of the task. This effect and was positively correlated with scores on the Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP; Payne, Cheng, & Govorun, 2005), revised for race. These results suggest people simulate and anticipate ingroup members’ actions, to the degree that they prefer ingroup members to outgroup members. The exception is found in biased individuals, who also anticipate the actions of threatening outgroup members.