Week 3 - Improving Inter-group Relations

Question 1

Communality VS Diversity

Answer 1

• Communality
  –> common in-group identity model
  –> color-blind ideology
  –> assimilation
• Diversity
  –> multicultural approach
  –> dual identity

Question 2

Classic Intervention Approach - Contact Hypothesis:

Answer 2

Contact between members of different groups will improve the relations among them

Question 3

Criticism on “Contact Hypothesis”
– Contact can increase conflict (Sherif)
– Conditions (Cook, 1985)…?

Answer 3

• Equal status
• Cooperation
• Opportunity for personal acquaintance
• Egalitarian norms

Question 4

Common In-group Identity Model

Answer 4

• Social categorization (“us “vs “them”) –> In-group bias
• Expanding “in-group” (more “we”) - lower bias towards formed out-group
• Contact conditions –> Common in-group

-Dual identity –> simultaneous sub-group & superordinate identification (important for generalizing beyond contact situation)

Question 5

Statistical Mediation
–> independent variable:
–> mediator:
–> dependent variable:

Answer 5

ind. var.: contact conditions
mediator: one-group
dep. var.: out-group rating

Question 6

Gaertner et al., 1996 - evidence for predictors

Answer 6

• Contact conditions → One-group/Dual identity = lower bias
• Multi-ethnic setting → Dual Identity = more functional
• Bank merger → One-group = more functional

Question 7

Integrative model of sub-group relations (Hornsey & Hogg, 2000)

Answer 7

• Intergroup relations = subgroup relations within a superordindate category
• Social Identity Theory –> positive group distinctiveness
• A salient superordinate category can threaten positive
  (sub-)group distinctiveness

Question 8

Perspectives on subgroup relations (political science / social psychological)

Answer 8

Political science perspective:
- assimilation: melting-pot, minority-group assimilation
- multiculturalism: valuing difference between cultures

Social psychological perspective:
- common in-group identity model (dual identity)
- mutual inter-group differentiation model

Question 9

Mutual Inter-Group Differentiation Model

Answer 9

• each group = strengths and weaknesses
• reduced inter-group conflict/bias when mutually recognizing (in/out-) groups strengths and weaknesses
  –> complementary roles during cooperative task
• salient inter-group differences, helps generalize beyond the contact situation

Question 10

Acknowledgement of category-based differences is prerequisite for inter-group harmony - Hornsey & Hogg (2000)

Answer 10

Dual identity: Finding a balance
– Subgroup distinctiveness is necessary
– May also lead to ethnocentrism

Question 11

Important factors / moderators - Hornsey & Hogg (2000)

Answer 11

– Inclusiveness
– Intersubgroup similarity
– Nested vs. cross-cutting subgroups
– Leadership
– Instrumental goals relations
– Power and status differentials

Question 12

Social Identity Approach to Organizational Psychology
- Teams & Organizations
- Organizational Identification

Answer 12

• Teams and organizations
  – Important basis for social identity
  – Important context for SIT principles
  –> strive for positive / certain organizational identities
  –> Identity management (e.g., influence status, stability, legitimacy on mobility, collective action, social creativity)
• Importance of organizational identification
  – Job-satisfaction
  – Well-being (also lower work-related stress)
  – Performance and extra-role behavior
  – Commitment (i.e., lower intentions to leave)

Question 13

Social Identity Approach to Mergers - Giessner et al. (2012)

Answer 13

Merging: Not just structural-, also psychological changes
– Pre- vs. Post-merger identification

Pre-merger identification is often higher than post-merger id.

Status differences
– Socio-structural factors (permeability, stability, legitimacy)
– Consequences (identification, mobility, collective action, creativity)

Question 14

Importance of Merger Pattern - Giessner et al. (2012)

Answer 14

– Assimilation (e.g., through acquisition)
* Threatening for the low status / acquired party

– Transformation (creating a totally new company)
* Typically preferred by low status party

– Integration (maintain previous id.)
* Integration-proportionality (preferred by high status party)
* Integration-equality (preferred by low status party)

Question 15

Importance of Continuity & Leadership

Answer 15

The importance of continuity
– Comes more naturally for the high status group
– Projected continuity

The importance of leadership
– Prototypically
– Group-orientedness