Intergroup relations

Question 1

In group- out group

Answer 1

In group- people with whom we share a common identity

Question 2

ABC

Answer 2

Affect- prejudice
Behaviour- discrimination
Cognition- stereotypes

Question 3

Explicit prejudice vs implicit prejudice

Answer 3

Explicit- Overt and within our awareness and control
Implicit- Covert, autonomic, outside of our awareness
Manifests as increased amygdala activity during interactions with out-group members.

Question 4

Stereotypes

Answer 4

Our schemas about social groups
They direct our attention
Guide our interpretation of events
Guide our behaviour in social situations

Conformation bias- seeing what we expect

Question 5

What causes prejudice?

Answer 5

Social categorisation
Social learning
Competition for resources- Realistic conflict theory
Motivational factors- Social identity theory

Question 6

Realistic conflict theory

Answer 6

Limited resources lead to conflict between groups and results in prejudice and discrimination

Intergroup hostility and prejudice are a natural outgrowth of fierce COMPETITION between groups

Question 7

Evidence of realistic conflict theory?

Answer 7

Robbers cave experiment (Sheriff 1966)

2 groups (Rattlers sand Eagles)

2 camps- encouraged to bond- common goals- didn’t know of each others existence. in groups established group norms, activities together.

Then COMPETITION STAGE- series of competitive activities. Prizes and trophies for winners. Rattlers confident in victory. Made a sign- keep off sign- threatening remarks about what they would do if anyone bothered their flag.
Situations were also devised whereby one group gained at the expense of the other (one ate others food) LIMITED RESOURCES

Started off verbal prejudice then turned to burning flags, ransacked cabins, aggressive- had to be separated.

2 day cooling off- listed features of groups- in group favourably, out-group unfavourably.

conflict between groups can trigger prejudice attitudes and discriminatory behavior. This experiment confirmed Sherif’s realistic conflict theory

Then Intergroup relations were improved through contact.

Question 8

Social identity theory

Answer 8

We derive our social identity (and self esteem) from our social groups

1- we are motivated to think well of our in-groups

2- Prejudice against out-groups can enhance self esteem

Question 9

Evidence for social identity theory (self-esteem)

Answer 9

Fein and Spencer

Hypothesis: self-image threat- prejudice against out-group- expression of prejudice= increased self-esteem

Part 1- p’s completed intelligence test- given bogus positive or negative feedback- completed self-esteem measure

Part 2- P’s rated a job candidate depicted either Jewish or Italian- completed another self-esteem measure

Results:

P’s who were threatened (negative feedback) rated the jewish candidate more negatively than the other participants did.

Change in self-esteem: p’s who received negative feedback and rated the Jewish candidate reported greater increases in self-esteem than other participants.

Evidence confirmed hypothesis.

Question 10

How can we cure prejudice?

Answer 10

CONTACT- Robbers cave (tasks together co-operation- Intergroup relations improved)

Sometimes hasn’t worked e.g. desegregation of schools in the US

Why? conditions were not met:
Mutual interdependence
A common goal
Equal status
Informal friendly contact
Multiple contacts between members
Social norms of equality