The role of gender, ethnicity, and age in intergroup behavior in a naturalistic setting

Abstract

This study examined the role of gender, ethnicity, and age in seating preferences of bus commuters in Singapore. In each of 1,239 observations, a commuter chose to sit next to one of two available window commuters. The characteristics of the chooser and the two window commuters were recorded. In-group preference was found with respect to gender and was also clearly present for choosers in the majority ethnic group. In the case of age, there was consistent preference for younger over older persons. Compared to males, females exhibited more consistent gender, ethnicity, and age effects. When both window commuters were from the same category, interesting contrasts were observed. Females do not mind sitting next to one of two males but males avoid sitting next to one of two females. If both window commuters are from the same age group, in-group attraction emerges.