(BRB) social psychology 2 - prejudice (T2) Flashcards
what is the study that supports realistic conflict theory
robbers cave experiment
what is the study which supports social identity theory
minimal groups paradigm experiment
define prejudice
- to prejudge somebody before knowing anything about them as an individual
- it is an extreme attitude towards someone or a group which is usually negative
what are the 3 negative components to prejudice
- cognitive -> stereotyping
- affective-> prejudice
- behavioural -> discrimination
define what stereotyping is
- overgeneralised beliefs about someone or something, usually based on limited information
define what prejudice is
- an unfavourable extreme attitude towards someone or something, common forms are racism and sexism
define what discrimination is
- unfair treatment of categories of people
what is intergroup conflict
- real conflict experienced between different groups
what are superordinate goals
- goals where all members of each group needs to cooperate in order to achieve the intended outcome
what is the main idea of realistic conflict theory
- that prejudice is a result of conflict between groups
- the conflict arises due to competition between the groups for a values resource
what does realistic conflict theory suggest about solving the conflict
- when groups are required to work towards superordinate goals then there is a reduction in hostility and greater harmony
what evidence is there to support realistic conflict theory
- the theory has credibility because it is supported by evidence (sherif et als study) which shows how competition between the boys increased hostility
- the theory has cross cultural relevance as Ember & Ember (1992) observed in tribal societies hostility increases when competition is introduced
what is the evidence against realistic conflict theory
- sheriffs own writing suggests that the boys may have been becoming hostile towards each other before any competition was introduced
- theory is limited because it ignores individual differences
what is the supporting evidence for the methodology for realistic conflict theory
- the robbers cave study
- a field study so high ecological validity
- tasks were high in mundane realism
what are the applications of realistic conflict theory
- has practical real world applications
- prejudice and hostility can be reduced if they have superordinate goals e.g aronsal et al
what is the aim of the sherif et al study
- to investigate intergroup relations over a period of time when various experimentally induced situations were introduced
what are the 4 stages of realistic conflict theory
- perceived limited resource
- competition occurs
- hostility occurs
- superordinate goals used to reduce hostility
what is the procedure and results from stage 1 of sherif et als study
procedure- first 5-6 days
- 2 groups kept separate and given teambuilding exercise to help bond
- each group made a group name
- at the end they were made aware of the other group
- experimenters used sociometric measures and experimental judgement
results- the boys bonded with their groups
- came up with group names and had a leader
- each group expressed dislike for other group and created us vs them relationship
what is the procedure and results from stage 2 of sherif et als study
procedure- next 4-6 days
- conflict was encouraged by setting up situations where they had to compete for desired prizes
- wanted to see if negative attitudes would develop
- recorded adjective’s and phrases if they were derogatory
results- competition led to immediate hostility
- eagles refused to eat with the rattlers
- groups shouted insults at each other
- raided eachothers huts + burned flags
what is the procedure and results from stage 3 of sherif et als study
procedure- final 6-7 days
- designed to reduce tension + conflict
- introduced superordinate goals like removing a blockage to allow a water truck to enter
- made them watch films together
results- getting the groups together without competition didnt reduce hostility
- joint problem solving tasks did reduce hostility
- friendship increased between 2 groups
what are the conclusions from sherif et als study
- prejudice and discrimination arise without competition
- competition increases prejudice and competition
- when groups cooperate on tasks that are meaningful to both groups hostility decreases
what is the generalisability like in sherif et als study (GRAVE)
- may not be generalisable as the competition and way they were divided was artificial
- sample only included 11-12 yr old white, lower middle class, protestant boys who were matched on IQ + sporting ability so not generalisable to everyone
what is the reliability like in sherif et als study (GRAVE)
- many uncontrolled extraneous variables as its a real world surrounding
what applications are there in sherif et als study (GRAVE)
- not applicable to real life situations such as inner city gangs
- however useful in society for reducing prejudice