Theories of Intergroup Relations

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Weve talked about
• Stereotypes --
• Formation, cognitive structures, info processing
• Stigma --
• Being the target of stereotypes, prejudice, and
  discrimination
• Intergroup Interactions
• Very much focused on individuals
• Move to a focus on relations between groups.
• What is the cause of conflict between groups?

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Preview of theories --
• Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis
• Relative Deprivation Theory
• Realistic Conflict Theory
• Social Identity Theories
• Social Identity Theory
• Self-Categorization theory
• Optimal Distinctiveness Theory

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis (Dollard et
  al., 1939)
• Basic idea The more goal-achievement is blocked,
  the more frustrated one will feel, and this will
  lead to aggression
• blocked goals ? frustration ? aggression
• When cause of our frustration is intimidating or
  vague, we redirect that frustration or hostility
• Displaced aggression
• Scapegoating

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Problems with frustration-aggression hypothesis
• Does frustration always lead to aggression?
• Is aggression always a consequence of aggression?
  
• Conflicting research evidence
• Hypothesis is about individuals. Transfer to
  groups
• Displacement
• Scapegoating

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Relative Deprivation Theory
• How satisfied are you with your current state in
  life?
• Social comparison process determines how
  satisfied we are with what we have.
• Compare current state with others if you have
  less, then you are deprived
• A subjective process. Result depends on target
  of comparison. Hence relative basis of human
  satisfaction.
• Determined not by objective status, but relative
  status. Hence, relative deprivation.

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Two kinds of relative deprivation
• 1) Egoistic individual feels deprived relative
  to someone else (incl. own group member)
• 2) Fraternalistic deprivation experienced by
  comparison of own group vis-à-vis another group
• Gap between expectations and attainments gt
  frustration

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Realistic Conflict Theory
• Based on economic principles people driven by
  selfish motives, seek to increase outcomes
• Our outcomes are often interdependent with others
• Intergroup conflict arises from incompatible
  group interests (both want same thing)
• Competition between groups for scarce resources ?
  biases against outgroup

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Reversal of typical thinking --
• Typical view stereotypes ? prejudice (neg.
  attitudes) ? conflict between groups
• RCT view competition for scarce resources ?
  intergroup conflict ? stereotypes, prejudice,
  discrimination
• Test of RCT Robbers Cave experiment (Sherif et
  al., 1961)
• Stages
• Group formation
• Intergroup conflict
• Intergroup cooperation (superordinate goals)
• Reduction in negative intergroup feelings

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Prejudice, intergroup conflict, and aggression
  arise when groups compete for scarce but valued
  resources
• Findings demonstrate the effectiveness of a
  series of superordinate goals in the reduction of
  intergroup conflict and hostility

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Strengths of RCT
• Theory is focused on groups
• Research has tested theory using real groups in a
  variety of settings
• Theory makes intuitive sense

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Theories of Intergroup Relations

• Weaknesses of RCT
• Definition of conflict. RCT -- conflict due to
  groups desiring scarce resources.
• Is all conflict based on desire for material
  resources?
• not only source of conflict conflict over
  beliefs, principles, ideas? Religious wars?
• Relations btwn. groups studies use groups of
  equal status, size, power, etc. Application to
  minority/majority conflict?
• Can conflict always be solved through
  superordinate goals?
• Causes vs. solutions of conflict material cause
  remains?

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Theories of Intergroup Relations