Welcome to Social Psychology: Understanding Prejudice
In this chapter, we explore one of the most important topics in Social Psychology: Prejudice. Have you ever wondered why people support different football teams so passionately, or why tension sometimes exists between different groups in society? Psychologists look for the "why" behind these feelings and behaviors.
By the end of these notes, you will understand the two main theories of prejudice and the different factors (like your personality or where you live) that make prejudice more or less likely to happen.
Note: This chapter focuses on Topic 1.1 of the Pearson Edexcel syllabus. For details on the Robbers Cave experiment itself, see the "Prescribed Studies" chapter.
---1. Defining the Basics
Before we dive into the theories, let's get our definitions straight. In the exam, being able to define these clearly is an easy way to pick up marks!
- Prejudice: A "pre-judgment." It is an attitude (usually negative) towards a person based on their membership in a particular group.
- Discrimination: This is the action. It is treating people differently (usually unfairly) because of the group they belong to.
- Stereotype: A fixed, oversimplified belief about a particular group of people.
2. Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner, 1979, 1986)
The Core Idea: This theory suggests that you don't need a reason to be prejudiced. Just the simple act of being put into a group is enough to make you think your group is better than others. We do this to boost our own self-esteem.
The Three Stages of SIT
Tajfel and Turner argued that we go through three mental steps:
- Social Categorisation: We automatically put ourselves and others into groups. Examples include "Man/Woman," "Student/Teacher," or "Arsenal fan/Chelsea fan." We see our own group as the In-group and the other as the Out-group.
- Social Identification: We take on the identity of the group. We start to dress, act, and speak like other group members. Our sense of who we are becomes tied to the group.
- Social Comparison: To feel good about ourselves, we need our group to look better than the out-group. We practice in-group favoritism (seeing our group as unique and good) and out-group denigration (seeing the other group as "all the same" and inferior).
Evaluation of Social Identity Theory
Strengths:
- It explains why prejudice happens even when there is no competition for money or resources.
- It is supported by Tajfel’s "Minimal Group" experiments, where boys showed favoritism to their own group even when groups were decided by something meaningless like a coin flip.
Weaknesses:
- It might be reductionist (too simple). It ignores the fact that some people are naturally more prejudiced than others due to their personality.
- It doesn't explain why prejudice is higher in some environments than others.
Quick Takeaway: According to SIT, prejudice happens because we want to feel good about the groups we belong to.
---3. Realistic Conflict Theory (Sherif, 1966)
The Core Idea: This theory takes a different view. It suggests that prejudice isn't just about "feelings"—it's about competition. When two groups want the same thing, but only one can have it, conflict and prejudice occur.
Key Concepts of RCT
- Zero-Sum Fate: This is a fancy way of saying "if you win, I lose." If two groups are competing for a limited resource (like a trophy, a job, or land), prejudice will rise.
- Negative Interdependence: This happens when groups are working against each other. Each group wants the other to fail so they can succeed.
- Superordinate Goals: This is the solution! Sherif found that if you give two hostile groups a task they must work together to complete (like fixing a broken water pipe), prejudice decreases. This is called positive interdependence.
Evaluation of Realistic Conflict Theory
Strengths:
- It is supported by Sherif’s (1961) Robbers Cave study, where two groups of boys became very hostile when a tournament was introduced.
- It has high application to the real world (e.g., explaining why prejudice increases during economic recessions when jobs are scarce).
Weaknesses:
- It's hard to prove "competition" is the only cause. Sometimes prejudice exists even when there is plenty for everyone.
- The research was often done on children (like the Robbers Cave study), so it might not generalise perfectly to adults.
Quick Takeaway: According to RCT, prejudice happens because groups are fighting over limited resources.
---4. Factors Affecting Prejudice
Why are some people more prejudiced than others? Psychologists look at three main areas: Personality, Situation, and Culture.
Individual Differences: Personality
Some people have a personality type that makes them more likely to be prejudiced. The most famous example is the Authoritarian Personality. People with this trait tend to:
- Be very obedient to authority.
- See the world in "black and white" (no middle ground).
- Be hostile to those they see as "inferior" or "different."
Don't worry if this seems tricky: Just remember that for these people, prejudice is a deep-seated part of who they are, often linked to how they were raised.
Situational Factors
The world around us changes how we act. You might be more prejudiced if:
- Social Norms: Your friends or family express prejudiced views. We often "fit in" to avoid rejection.
- Group Size: If you feel your group is being "threatened" by a larger out-group, your prejudice might increase.
Cultural Factors
Culture plays a huge role in how we see "Us" vs. "Them."
- Individualistic Cultures: (Like the UK or USA) focus on individual success. Prejudice here might be based on interpersonal competition.
- Collectivist Cultures: (Like China or Korea) focus on group harmony. While they are very loyal to their in-group, they may show higher levels of out-group prejudice to maintain that harmony.
5. Summary Table: SIT vs. RCT
Use this table to help you compare the two theories for "Compare" or "Evaluate" exam questions.
| Feature | Social Identity Theory (SIT) | Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cause | The mere existence of two groups. | Competition for limited resources. |
| Key Motivation | Self-esteem (feeling good). | Winning the resource. |
| How to reduce it | Reduce social comparison/categorisation. | Introduce Superordinate Goals. |
| Classic Study | Tajfel's Minimal Groups. | Sherif's Robbers Cave. |
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Mixing up the theories: Remember, SIT is about identity/feeling good. RCT is about competition/resources. A good way to remember is: SIT = Self-esteem; RCT = Resources.
2. Prejudice vs. Discrimination: Don't use these words interchangeably. If a question asks about attitudes, talk about prejudice. If it asks about behavior, talk about discrimination.
3. Forgetting the "Who": Always try to name the researchers. Use Tajfel and Turner for SIT and Sherif for RCT.
Quick Review Questions
- What are the three stages of Social Identity Theory?
- How does a "superordinate goal" help reduce prejudice?
- How might a collectivist culture view an "out-group" differently than an individualistic one?
Check your progress: You have now covered the explanations for prejudice (SIT and RCT) and the factors that influence it (Personality, Situation, Culture). You are ready to apply these to exam questions!