In Tajfel's allocation task, participants frequently chose an option giving their own group 19 rather than one giving them 25, because the first option left the other group further behind. What does preferring less for your own side reveal?

B. That the goal was relative standing rather than gain.

Maximum difference beating maximum in-group profit is the finding that gives social identity theory its content: simple self-interest would have taken the 25. Note there was no hostility in the setup — no history, no contact, no grievance — and nobody was being punished, which is what makes the preference for relative advantage uncomfortable rather than reassuring.