Prejudice Theory

Question 1

What is social identity theory based on ?

Answer 1

• assumptions that prejudice can be explained in terms of our tendency to identify ourselves as I group or out group

Question 2

3 stages of social identity theory

Answer 2

• social categorisation
• social identification
• social comparison

Question 3

What is social categorisation ?

Answer 3

• place ourselves into social groups based on same interests/ values/ norms
• based this as their in groups and others not within that are out groups

Question 4

What is social identification ?

Answer 4

• actively adopt into identity of your in group = e.g. behaviours and appearance

Question 5

What is social comparison ?

Answer 5

• when we compare our in groups against other out groups = in group favouritism and out group discrimination
• actively ridicule out groups to maintain and boost out self esteem = SO results in prejudice

Question 6

Pros of social identity theory

Answer 6

• supported by Tajfel 1970 study
• supported by Aronson and Osherwon’s study
• positive contribution to society

Question 7

Cons of Social identity theory

Answer 7

• a reductionist
• does not account for other explanation of prejudice

Question 8

What is Tajfel study about ?

Answer 8

• testing 64 British boys and found that they would favour their in group and consistently give high points to the members but low points for out group = shows social cate. And social identification leads to comparison in society so increase validity of theory

Question 9

What is Aronson and Osherwon study about ?

Answer 9

• Blue eyes and brown eyes students were divided into groups and found that they would discriminate ppl that isn’t the same eye colour and calling them names and fights
• therefore, supported in group favouritism and out group discrimination suggested from the theory and increase validity of it .

Question 10

How is social identity theory a reductionist ?

Answer 10

• only suggests that prejudice is a consequence of nurture - in group f and out group d. It did not account role of nature e.g. a authoritarian personality that would discriminate lower hierarchy in society.
  = therefore, is a simplify explanation and can’t fully explain prejudice which reduces validity of theory

Question 11

How does social identity theory doesn’t account for other explanation of prejudice ?

Answer 11

• it does not account for the influence of social norms, values and socialisation or threaten to be prejudice
  + an example
• therefore, group membership may not be the role reason for prejudice and it isn’t a fully explanation of prejudice .

Question 12

How does realistic conflict theory explain how conflict starts ? AO1

Answer 12

• formation of in group and out group leads to inter group conflict which results in prejudice
• 2 groups are competing for the same limited resources
• this increase in group solidarity and marked hostility towards out group
• conflict occurs is real, leads to prejudiced against out group members to gain the limited resource

Question 13

Pros of RCT

Answer 13

• supported by sherif’s robbers cave study
• positive contribution to society
• supported by Aronson

Question 14

Cons of RCT

Answer 14

• supported by typerman and Spencer
• reductionist

Question 15

How does sheriff’s RC study support RCT ?

Answer 15

• found boys that in competition to win limited resource of trophy and pocket knife leads to hostility - physical fight and name calling e.g. braggers
• increase validity of RCT

Question 16

How RCT positive contribution to society ?

Answer 16

• theory suggests introduce superordinate goal can reduce hostility . For example the formation of EU after WW2 that countries work together for common goals
  = reduce prejudice in society and prevention can be made to make society safer.

Question 17

How does Aronson’s research support RCT ?

Answer 17

• use jigsaw technique, divide classroom into small groups that need succeed every group task to finish class project = competition decrease
  = supports that introduce superordinate goal and remove competition can cause decrease in prejudice

Question 18

How does Tyerman and Spencer’s study oppose RCT ?

Answer 18

• observed scouts who already knew each other were put in a competition = no hostility or prejudice
  = t/f shows competition only has dramatic effects on behaviours of ppl who don’t know each other before = reduce validity of theory

Question 19

How is RCT a reductionist ?

Answer 19

• only consider role of nurture that competition over limited resources leas to prejudice, but doesn’t consider the role of nature e.g. AP leads to prejudice
  T/F = simplistic, does not consider complexity of prejudice = reduce validity