Wk3 Social identity and categorization theories

Question 1

Criticisms of realistic conflict approach

Answer 1

overemphasis on competition and material resources, its underestimation of the role of communication and perception in conflict, and its potential to oversimplify complex social dynamics

Question 2

Factors that complicate the relationship between coipition and conflict

Answer 2

the presence of shared goals, the level of interdependence among group members, the existence of power imbalances, and the influence of cultural norms and values

Question 3

What were the minimal group studies

Answer 3

a series of experiments conducted by Henri Tajfel and his colleagues. They demonstrated that even arbitrary and virtually meaningless distinctions between groups, such as preferences for certain types of art, can trigger a tendency to favor one’s own group at the expense of others

Question 4

What were the minimal group studies trying to achieve

Answer 4

to achieve a better understanding of the minimal conditions required for discrimination to occur between groups.

Question 5

What is the difference between personal and a social identity

Answer 5

A personal identity refers to an individual’s self-concept that derives from their personal characteristics and experiences.
A social identity refers to the part of an individual’s self-concept that derives from their membership in social groups and the value and emotional significance attached to that membership

Question 6

when social creativity fails, what options do groups have?

Answer 6

groups may resort to social competition or social mobility. Social competition involves striving to improve the status of the in-group relative to the out-group. Social mobility involves individuals attempting to move from a lower-status group to a higher-status group

Question 7

The three levels of abstraction of self-categorisation

Answer 7

Subordinate level (personal self-categorisations)
Ingroup-outgroup level (Intermediate categorisation
Superordinate group (broader categorisation (eg human being).

Question 8

Common in-group identity model

Answer 8

By emphasising. shared collective identity among members of different subgroups can lead to more positive intergroup relations.
Gaertner et al (Ignore subgroup boundaries)

Question 9

Debating superordinate category

Answer 9

Sub-group disagreement over the meaning of the superordinate category = unlikely to lead to the reduction of in-group favouritism.

Question 10

Dual identity mode;

Answer 10

It’s important to make people aware of what they share at the superordinate level, but people should be allowed to maintain their original subgroup identities as well (anticipated to minimise distinctiveness threat among subgroup members)

Question 11

Motivation assumption

Answer 11

Individuals strive to maintain or enhance their self-esteem (positive concept)