Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

472 CHAPTER 11 Social PsychologyNON SEQUITUR © 2003 Wiley Miller. Dist. by UNIVERSAL PRESSSYNDICATE. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.can be displayed in some form of discrimination—behaviors ranging from privatelysneering at to physically attacking members of an out-group (Duckitt, 2003).How can we account for the extreme emotions that often characterize prejudiceagainst out-group members? One theory holds that prejudice and intergroup hostilityincrease when different groups are competing for scarce resources, whetherjobs, acreage, oil, water, or political power (see Pratto & Glasford, 2008). Prejudiceand intergroup hostility are also likely to increase during times of social change(Brewer, 1994; Staub, 1996).However, prejudice often exists in the absence of direct competition for resources,changing social conditions, or even contact with members of a particular out-group.What accounts for prejudice in such situations? Research by psychologist VictoriaEsses and her colleagues (1993, 2005) has demonstrated that people are often prejudicedagainst groups that are perceived as threatening important in-group normsand values. For example, a person might be extremely prejudiced against gays andlesbians because he feels that they threaten his in-group’s cherished values, such as astrong commitment to traditional sex roles and family structure.Overcoming PrejudiceKey Theme• Prejudice can be overcome when rival groups cooperate to achieve a commongoal.Key Questions• How has this finding been applied in the educational system?• What other conditions are essential to reducing tension between groups?• How can prejudice be overcome at the individual level?How can prejudice be combated at the group level? A classic series of studies headedby psychologist Muzafer Sherif helped clarify the conditions that produce intergroupconflict and harmony. Sherif and his colleagues (1961) studied a group of 11-year-old boys in an unlikely setting for a scientific experiment: a summer camp locatedat Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma.The Robbers Cave ExperimentPretending to be camp counselors and staff, the researchers observed the boys’behavior under carefully orchestrated conditions. The boys were randomly assignedto two groups. The groups arrived at camp in separate buses and were headquarteredin different areas of the camp. One group of boys dubbed themselves theEagles, the other the Rattlers. After a week of separation, the researchers arranged forthe groups to meet in a series of competitive games. A fierce rivalry quickly developed,demonstrating the ease with which mutually hostile groups could be created.