A Meta‐Analysis of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies on In‐Group and Out‐Group Categorization

Our unrestricted search approach with ALE methodology extends beyond previous categorically constrained meta-analyses by capturing group dynamics not limited to predefined categories. The distinct activation patterns for ethnicity-based categorization and empathy processing tasks indicate multiple neural pathways rather than universal mechanisms for group processing. These context-dependent patterns suggest interventions must target specific group-task combinations rather than assume uniform neural processes.