People Are More Likely To Help Individuals Who Are Like Themselves Versus Helping Groups

Today’s best managers know the importance of employees helping other individuals in the workplace. Unfortunately, employees may help those who are similar to themselves more often than those who are different from them. Indeed, employees may be more likely to help a single individual in need who is in their same demographic group than they are likely to help an individual who is different from them. Today’s best managers might get more helping behavior if employees are given opportunities to help individuals who are demographically similar to them.

Source: Kogut, T., & Ritov, I. 2008. “One of us”: Outstanding willingness to help save a single identified compatriot. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 104, 150-157.