Intergroup Conflict

Definition

Intergroup conflict refers to the tensions, disagreements, and hostilities that arise between distinct social groups within a society. It encompasses the struggles, competition, and clashes that occur when different groups with divergent interests, values, or identities interact and come into opposition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Intergroup conflict can be driven by perceived threats to a group's resources, status, or power, leading to competition and hostility.
2. Historical and cultural factors, such as past grievances, can perpetuate and intensify intergroup conflicts, even in the absence of current threats.
3. Intergroup conflict can manifest in various forms, including discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, and even violence.
4. Effective strategies for reducing intergroup conflict include promoting intergroup contact, fostering common goals and superordinate identities, and addressing underlying structural inequalities.
5. Intergroup conflict can have significant negative consequences for social cohesion, economic development, and overall societal well-being.

Review Questions

• Explain how in-group bias contributes to the development of intergroup conflict.
  • In-group bias, the tendency for individuals to favor their own group over others, is a key driver of intergroup conflict. When people strongly identify with their own group, they are more likely to perceive outsiders as threats, leading to prejudice, discrimination, and hostility towards the out-group. This in-group favoritism and out-group derogation creates a cycle of mistrust and conflict between different social groups within a society.
• Describe how the Realistic Conflict Theory can help explain the underlying causes of intergroup conflict.
  • The Realistic Conflict Theory suggests that intergroup conflict arises from competition over scarce resources, such as economic opportunities, political power, or social status. When different groups perceive that they are in direct competition for these limited resources, they are more likely to view the other group as a threat, leading to increased hostility, suspicion, and conflict. This theory highlights the importance of addressing structural inequalities and resource imbalances between groups as a way to mitigate intergroup tensions.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for reducing intergroup conflict, such as promoting intergroup contact and fostering common goals.
  • Strategies for reducing intergroup conflict, such as promoting intergroup contact and fostering common goals, have been shown to be effective in certain contexts. Intergroup contact, when done under the right conditions (e.g., equal status, common goals, institutional support), can help break down stereotypes and prejudices, and promote understanding and empathy between groups. Similarly, the development of superordinate identities and common goals that transcend group boundaries can help reduce the salience of group differences and encourage cooperation. However, the success of these strategies often depends on the specific historical, cultural, and structural factors that contribute to the intergroup conflict, and they may not be equally effective in all situations.

Related terms

In-group Bias: The tendency for individuals to favor their own group over others, often leading to prejudice and discrimination against out-groups.

Social Identity Theory: A theory that explains how individuals derive their sense of identity and self-worth from the social groups they belong to, which can contribute to intergroup conflict.

Realistic Conflict Theory: A theory that suggests intergroup conflict arises from competition over scarce resources, leading to perceived threats and hostility between groups.