How does social identity theory explain the formation of prejudice in relation to cognitive biases and cultural influences?

Social identity theory helps us understand how prejudice can form by looking at how people see themselves and others in groups. According to this theory, individuals categorize themselves into groups, like being part of a family, a sports team, or a cultural background. When people strongly identify with their own group, they may start to view others outside their group as different or inferior, which can lead to negative feelings or prejudice. For example, if someone is very proud of their school, they might look down on students from rival schools, thinking their own school is better. This process is influenced by cognitive biases, like favoring information that supports one's own group and cultural influences that highlight differences between groups, making it easier for prejudices to grow.