Evaluation of social identity theory

Question 1

Supporting evidence?

Answer 1

-Sherif found that boys of similar age and background were quick to become hostile (Prejudice) to each other when put into two groups during a stay at a summer camp

Question 2

provides explanation?

Answer 2

During April 1982 police carried out a raid on the Black and white cafe in Bristol where the local population rioted against the out group (police, local authority buildings etc) The out group was anything that represented authority!

Question 3

Application?

Answer 3

Be usefully used to reduce prejudice by using the common-in-group-identity model by redrawing the group boundary to include the out group the prejudice would cease. (multi-cultural school would change the student social identity from race to students of the school)

Question 4

why is it argued to be simplistic?

Answer 4

prejudice is based on historical relationships rather than simple grouping such as conflict could be due to historical competition between the groups.

Question 5

What does SIT not take into account?

Answer 5

Dispositional factors such as peoples upbringing or personality.
-it only takes the situational approach