POL SCI 164A Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Realistic Conflict Theory, Henri Tajfel, Ingroups And Outgroups
29 Apr 2018
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PS164A Reading
The Social Identity Theory of Intergroup Behavior
CH 1
Tajfel and Turner
- Aim to present outline of the intergroup conflict theory and related preliminary
data
- Alternative approach: “realistic group conflict theory” (RCT)
- Explains intergroup behavior using Sherid’s functional relations between
social groups
- Hypothesis “real conflict of group interests cause intergroup
conflict” has received strong empirical support
- Real conflicts of group interests (1) cause antagonistic intergroup
relations and (2) heighten identification with and positive
attachment to the in group
- BUT some inconsistencies between the empirical data and the theory in
its classical form
- Aim to supplement RTC aspects essential for an adequate social psychology of
intergroup conflict
SOCIAL CONTEXT OF INTERGROUP BEHAVIOR
- 2 extremes of social behavior
- (1) interpersonal behavior: interaction between 2 or more action fully
determined by interpersonal relationships and individual characteristics
- (2) intergroup behavior: action fully determined by respective
memberships in various social groups or categories
- Infrequent in real social situations
- What determines which extreme a social behavior nears
- (1) intergroup conflict
- More intense, more likely individuals who are members of opposite
groups interact as a function of their memberships, rather than
their individual characteristics
- ** but institutionalization, explicit groups, objectivity of intergroup
conflict not necessary for intergroup conflict > can be present
merely with in group affiliation, anonymity of group membership,
absence of conflicts of interest, absence of previous hostility
between the groups
- Interpersonal intergroup continuum
- One extreme: social mobility - idea that society is flexible and one
can move into other groups (if they work hard, have good luck, use
their talents etc.)
Document Summary
Aim o presen o line of he in ergro p conflic heory and rela ed preliminary da a. Al erna ive approach: (cid:343)realis ic gro p conflic heory(cid:344) (rct) Explains in ergro p behavior sing sherid"s f nc ional rela ions be ween social gro ps. Hypo hesis (cid:343)real conflic of gro p in eres s ca se in ergro p conflic (cid:344) has received s rong empirical s ppor . Real conflic s of gro p in eres s (1) ca se an agonis ic in ergro p rela ions and (2) heigh en iden ifica ion wi h and posi ive a achmen o he in gro p. But some inconsis encies be ween he empirical da a and he heory in i s classical form. Aim o s pplemen rtc aspec s essen ial for an adeq a e social psychology of in ergro p conflic .
