Paul has been a close friend with isabella for some time. he doesn't know susan very well, though; the two just don't have much in common. susan gets into some trouble for the first time ever in class. paul tells his friends "susan is a troublemaker!" a few weeks later, isabella gets into the same kind of trouble in the same class. when asked, paul tells his friends that "isabella got into trouble, but it wasn't her fault." what can you infer based on paul's language in this scenario?

a. it's most likely isabella is an in-group member with paul, and susan is in an out-group.

b. it's most likely paul is a bad person.

c. it's most likely isabella is an out-group member with paul, and susan is in an in-group.

d. it's most likely susan is a troublemaker.

e. it's most likely both susan and isabella are in an in-group with paul.

The correct answer is A. It's most likely Isabella is an in-group member with Paul, and Susan is in an out-group.

Explanation:

In group and individual's interaction, different relationships can emerge including in-groups and out-groups. In-groups refers to the group individuals identify and think they belong to, this implies they share interests with the members of these groups and will support or defend those that belong to the group. On the opposite, an out-group refers to the group individuals feel they do not belong to and therefore an individual is less likely to support or defend people that are in the outside group.

This implies, in the case presented Paul probably feels Isabela is an in-group member and because of this, he tries to defend her due to the affinity he has for her and on the opposite he considers Susan is in an out-group and therefore he does not defend her, this also explains besides both girls got in the same trouble Paul feels a favoritism or preference for Isabella.

A ... from my own experience, people always judge you by which group you're in. If Paul was a bad person, he would also judge Isabella, along with Susan.