The Minimal Group Paradigm and its maximal impact in research on social categorization

•MGP is a versatile tool to investigate the impact of social categorization.•Recently, the MGP has especially been used in social cognition research.•Minimal groups can vary in minimalism.•Modified MGP allows comparing the impact of self-interest and group-interest.

One of the most influential paradigms in research on intergroup relations is the Minimal Group Paradigm. Initially motivated by an interest in understanding the basic determinants of social discrimination, this paradigm investigates the impact of social categorization on intergroup relations in the absence of realistic conflicts of interests, and for social categories that are arbitrary and novel. Based on a short overview of the main features of the paradigm and its impact on social–psychological theories, some recent modifications — mostly stemming from the past five years — are introduced. Moreover, attesting its versatility and great value, current research will be presented revealing that the Minimal Group Paradigm does not only target ingroup favoritism and social discrimination, but is successfully used in a wide array of research fields.