Abstract
The self-bias effect, characterized by the prioritization of self-related information in cognitive processing, is well-documented, yet its flexibility within social contexts remains underexplored. This study examined how interpersonal relationships (cooperation vs. competition), group membership (ingroup vs. outgroup), and mere social presence modulate self-bias in task performance. In three experiments, participants completed a shape–label matching task in which geometric shapes were arbitrarily associated with self, partner, or stranger identities. Perceptual sensitivity (d′) and reaction times (RTs) were analyzed to assess self- and partner bias across social conditions. Results demonstrated that self-bias was selectively malleable: Competition significantly enhanced self-bias in d′, whereas cooperation had no effect. Additionally, self-bias was more pronounced in the presence of an outgroup partner compared with an ingroup partner. By contrast, mere social presence did not alter self-bias, indicating that passive copresence alone is insufficient to modulate self-prioritization. RTs remained unaffected by social context, suggesting that social influences primarily impact perceptual sensitivity rather than processing speed. Partner bias was consistently observed across all experiments but remained unaffected by social contexts, implying that while brief interaction is enough to establish a basic level of social relevance, stronger social engagement may be required to further modulate partner-related processing. These findings suggest that self-bias is selectively malleable, responding to contexts that accentuate self–other distinctions, while remaining robust against cooperative incentives or passive copresence, and highlighting the stability of partner bias in minimal social contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Experimental Psychology: General |
| Early online date | 29 Sept 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 29 Sept 2025 |
Bibliographical note
We thank Aleksander Stojkowski, Karolina Mozel, Lotta Dallyn, Anna Korelin, PinjaSuonpaa, Sanni Ringblom, and Maria Sadlowska for their help with data collection. Parts of the data and ideas have previously been presented as a talk at the
International Convention of Psychological Science in March 2019, and a poster at the Experiment Society Bournemouth Meeting in July 2019.
Impact Statement
This study shows that our tendency to focus on ourselves, known as self-bias, is influenced by social situations like competition and group membership, which can lead us to prioritize self-related information. However, simply working alongside others or cooperating without active coordination does not reduce this self-focus. Additionally, even brief interactions with others can make us pay more attention to them, suggesting that small social connections matter. These findings contribute to our understanding of when and how social settings shape our attention to ourselves and others and may help improve teamwork, education, and interactions between different groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)
Data Availability Statement
Data analyses can be accessed at https://osf.io/jmy46/.Funding
This research was funded, in part, by the Experimental Psychology Society Small Grant.
Keywords
- Self-bias
- social context
- Shape-label matching
- interpersonal relationships
- group membership