SP Intergroup Behaviour Critical Analysis

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  • Created by: Psych951
  • Created on: 04-05-19 12:38

SP Intergroup Behaviour Critical Analysis

Advantages

  • Understand actions performed based on membership with social groups, and how it can serve a purpose, e.g. to enhance self-esteem and validate behaviour
  • Cohesive explanation of interacting factors of individual, groups and social context
  • Conditions necessary to produce social unrest
  • Understand real-life conflicts as shared identity promotes collective action
  • Understand how prejudice can form
  • Can use theories to improve intergroup relations
  • Minimal group studies show arbitrary nature of social categorisation

Disadvantages

  • Extent to which out-groups influence behaviour is dependent on context
  • Positive-Negative asymmetry in treatment of out-group
  • Subjective perception of reality rather than reflecting true social climate
  • Intergroup behaviour can produce negative consequences such as conflict and stereotyping
  • Studies often lack ecological validity due to need for control of factors

Evaluation

Inter-group behaviour can have negative impacts on social harmony and interactions, especially due to subjective nature of situation. Theories of intergroup behaviour can to help understand how and why these situations occur, and how relations can be improved. 

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