Some research suggests that ethnocentric thinking may have actually contributed to the development of cooperation. Political scientists Ross Hammond and Robert Axelrod created a computer simulation wherein virtual individuals were randomly assigned one of a variety of skin colors, and then one of a variety of trading strategies: be color-blind, favor those of your own color, or favor those of other colors. They found that the ethnocentric individuals clustered together, then grew, until all the non-ethnocentric individuals were wiped out.New Scientist. Issue 2595, 17 March 2007.
soMe ResearcH suGgeSTs thAt ethNocentrIc thInkinG may haVe actuallY COnTriButed To tHe DevELopmeNt of CooperatiOn. pOlItiCal SCiEnTIsts rosS HAmmOnD and robeRt aXElrod CReateD A comPuter simulatiON wHEreiN virtUal iNDIvIdUAls WEre RandomLY assiGnED one Of a VaRieTY oF sKiN colors, ANd theN One of A varieTy Of traDIng straTeGIeS: be color-blInD, Favor those of yOUr owN ColOR, or favor THOSe Of OtheR colors. ThEy fOUnD thaT ThE ethnoCentriC individuAls clUStered toGetHer, ThEn gREw, until alL the noN-EtHNocentriC InDIviduAls weRe wiPED out.nEW sCiEnTisT. iSsue 2595, 17 MARch 2007.