---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some social scientists say that…"
description: "\"Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases are hard-wired into the human brain. Even without overt prejudice, it is cognitively convenie..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg"
---

#  Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases…

![“Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases are hard-wired into the human brain. Even without overt prejudice, it is cognitively convenient for people to sort items into categories and respond based on what is usually associated with those categories: a form of statistical…” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg)

> “Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases are hard-wired into the human brain. Even without overt prejudice, it is cognitively convenient for people to sort items into categories and respond based on what is usually associated with those categories: a form of statistical discrimination, playing the odds.”

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Human brains naturally categorize, leading to bias even without prejudice.

**In simple terms:** We sort people, causing bias.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and counteract innate categorization.

Themes

bias psychology social cognition

Mood

reflective critical

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

- hiring
- education
- media representation
- policy design

Key Concepts

in-group/out-group dynamics statistical discrimination

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you notice categorization in daily life?
- What steps reduce unconscious bias?

A Different Perspective

Bias can be reinforced by cultural narratives.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Biases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/biases/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Discrimination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discrimination/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Human brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-brain/) [Odds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/odds/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientists/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/)

## Related quotes

> [Practically everybody (1) overweighs the stuff that can be numbered, because it yields to the statistical techniques they’re taught in academia, and (2) doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/practically-everybody-1-overweighs-the-stuff-that-can-be-numbered/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

> [I don't think there is any global warming. I don't see the statistical data for that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaclav-klaus/i-don-t-think-there-is-any-global-warming-i-don-t-see-the-statistical/)

[Vaclav Klaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaclav-klaus/)

> [Most of us cluster somewhere in the middle of most statistical distributions. But there are lots of bell curves, and pretty much everyone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/most-of-us-cluster-somewhere-in-the-middle-of-most-statistical/)

[Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/)

> [“a statistical observation that is markedly different in value from the others of the sample”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/a-statistical-observation-that-is-markedly-different-in-value-from/)

[Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/)

> [Both poker and investing are games of incomplete information. You have a certain set of facts and you are looking for situations where you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-einhorn/both-poker-and-investing-are-games-of-incomplete-information-you-have/)

[David Einhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-einhorn/)

> [Not only is the statistical madness an assault on individuality, it's also one on temporality too. Statistics - even when accurate - are only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-self/not-only-is-the-statistical-madness-an-assault-on-individuality-it-s/)

[Will Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-self/)

> [“If we had enough data then this statistical approach would undoubtedly sort out these things, and a lot of problems are arising precisely because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-k-mcarthur/if-we-had-enough-data-then-this-statistical-approach-would/)

[Jennifer K. McArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-k-mcarthur/)

> [“average men and women don’t really exist except as a statistical conceit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taylor-gatto/average-men-and-women-don-t-really-exist-except-as-a-statistical/)

[John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/)

> [I do not believe any of the statistical claims that are made about public opinion. I don't see why anybody does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-do-not-believe-any-of-the-statistical-claims-that-are-made-about/)

[Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/)

> [The manipulation of statistical formulas is no substitute for knowing what one is doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-m-blalock/the-manipulation-of-statistical-formulas-is-no-substitute-for-knowing/)

Hubert M. Blalock

> [“Normal is a statistical invention. Not a desirable personality trait.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-mages-amato/normal-is-a-statistical-invention-not-a-desirable-personality-trait/)

Danielle Mages Amato

> [“We need a proper statistical model that lets each person have his own momentum effect and each person have his own checkout attraction and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-sorensen/we-need-a-proper-statistical-model-that-lets-each-person-have-his-own/)

[Herb Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-sorensen/)

> [Expectation is a statistical fiction, like having 2.5 children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-poundstone/expectation-is-a-statistical-fiction-like-having-2-5-children/)

[William Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-poundstone/)

> [Two years later, I went to the University of Minnesota from which I was on leave for several years during the war as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stigler/two-years-later-i-went-to-the-university-of-minnesota-from-which-i/)

[George Stigler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stigler/)

> [Sanity is not statistical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/sanity-is-not-statistical/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

## More by Rosabeth Moss Kanter

> [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [I wonder whether there has been too much emphasis on teaching women to conform, to fit into the system. Certainly that suits conservative organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-wonder-whether-there-has-been-too-much-emphasis-on-teaching-women/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [After years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/after-years-of-telling-corporate-citizens-to-trust-the-system-many/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [The difference between "winners" and "losers" is not whether they face obstacles and setbacks - we all do, and it is inevitable that plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-difference-between-winners-and-losers-is-not-whether-they-face/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/friendly-people-are-caring-people-eager-to-provide-encouragement-and/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [I've been looking at companies that are on a positive path vs. a negative path and I've come to use the language of sports,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-ve-been-looking-at-companies-that-are-on-a-positive-path-vs-a/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Power stems from 'rainmaking,' as law firms put it: the ability to bring resources into the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-stems-from-rainmaking-as-law-firms-put-it-the-ability-to-bring/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/leaders-must-pick-causes-they-won-t-abandon-easily-remain-committed/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Companies used to be able to function with autocratic bosses. We don't live in that world anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/companies-used-to-be-able-to-function-with-autocratic-bosses-we-don-t/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/everything-looks-like-a-failure-in-the-middle-in-neary-every-change/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/during-the-boom-years-it-was-so-easy-to-lose-sight-of-basic-values/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

> [Winning becomes easier over time as the cornerstones of confidence become habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/winning-becomes-easier-over-time-as-the-cornerstones-of-confidence/)

[Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

[Explore all 111 Rosabeth Moss Kanter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/)

## More Associated quotes

> [The theme of the party was Neverland Ranch, so guests were asked to come as anyone or anything associated with Michael Jackson. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/april-winchell/the-theme-of-the-party-was-neverland-ranch-so-guests-were-asked-to/)

[April Winchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/april-winchell/)

> [You know, entropy is associated thermodynamically, in systems involving heat, with disorder. And in an analogous way, information is associated with disorder, which seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gleick/you-know-entropy-is-associated-thermodynamically-in-systems-involving/)

[James Gleick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gleick/)

> [The true principle of taxation is the benefit principle - those who benefit from a government service should pay for it. It's also known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/the-true-principle-of-taxation-is-the-benefit-principle-those-who/)

[Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/)

> [All we talk about is 'Islamic terrorism.' If the two words are associated for long enough it's obviously going to have an effect on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-power/all-we-talk-about-is-islamic-terrorism-if-the-two-words-are/)

[Samantha Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-power/)

> [I do think that, for instance, we've been very lucky to have theatrical careers and be associated with Shakespeare which sometimes gives you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/i-do-think-that-for-instance-we-ve-been-very-lucky-to-have-theatrical/)

[Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/)

> [I want to not be associated with death or cancer, I don't want that life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-elverum/i-want-to-not-be-associated-with-death-or-cancer-i-don-t-want-that/)

[Phil Elverum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-elverum/)

> [I was always involved in the arts from a young age. I started studying classical piano at age four as a student of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-raymund/i-was-always-involved-in-the-arts-from-a-young-age-i-started-studying/)

[Monica Raymund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-raymund/)

> [I can tell you, Obamacare, I have been stunned by the pratfalls associated with its implementation. I simply can't understand how a president that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/i-can-tell-you-obamacare-i-have-been-stunned-by-the-pratfalls/)

[Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/)

> [And for me, it's been, not only where I learned, but the people that I met there. Most of the people that I work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-secada/and-for-me-it-s-been-not-only-where-i-learned-but-the-people-that-i/)

[Jon Secada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-secada/)

> [Most grain foods, whether we're talking about quinoa, amaranth, the very popular grains of the day - the reality is they still are associated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/most-grain-foods-whether-we-re-talking-about-quinoa-amaranth-the-very/)

[David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/)

> [I was raised a Catholic on both sides of the family. I went to a Catholic grade school and thought everybody in the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-holtz/i-was-raised-a-catholic-on-both-sides-of-the-family-i-went-to-a/)

[Lou Holtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-holtz/)

> [Perhaps some of the appeal of the dangerous-but-yummy paranormal anti-hero lies in his scorn for societal expectations. Yes, women have come a long way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/perhaps-some-of-the-appeal-of-the-dangerous-but-yummy-paranormal-anti/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [I was the Chair of the WIFF Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Women In Film. The foundation runs the several programs including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/i-was-the-chair-of-the-wiff-foundation-which-is-the-philanthropic-arm/)

[Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/)

> [“When taking nutritional supplements, it is important to know which ones have toxicity associated with them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/when-taking-nutritional-supplements-it-is-important-to-know-which/)

[Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/)

> [You do not have to be convicted or even charged of a crime to be able to demonstrate that you've violated a personal conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-goodell/you-do-not-have-to-be-convicted-or-even-charged-of-a-crime-to-be-able/)

[Roger Goodell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-goodell/)

Browse all 143 Associated quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases are hard-wired into the human brain. Even without overt prejudice, it is cognitively convenient for people to sort items into categories and respond based on what is usually associated with those categories: a form of statistical discrimination, playing the odds.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group-out-group-biases-are-hard/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Associated"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group-out-group-biases-are-hard/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_associated_some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group_1471081.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group biases are hard-wired into the human brain. Even without…” — Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Rosabeth Moss Kanter",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Some social scientists say that in-group/out-group...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group-out-group-biases-are-hard/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/some-social-scientists-say-that-in-group-out-group-biases-are-hard/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
