Tel Aviv University
The Gershon H. Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences
The School of Psychological Sciences
Intergroup relations and processes
1071.4968.01
Dr. Nurit Shnabel
shnabeln@post.tau.ac.il
Course description: The course addresses issues in social relations between groups, with a
focus on the dynamics between majority and minority groups (i.e., groups of unequal status).
The course examines major theories and models in this field, such as the contact hypothesis,
social identity theory, and social dominance theory. It also explores the way people think, feel
and behave towards others based on their group membership, the factors that hinder or
facilitate constructive intergroup relations, and reviews current theorizing on ways
reconciliation between groups in conflict can be promoted. The examples examined
throughout the course include contexts of interracial and interethnic relations, such as those
between Blacks and Whites in the US, Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews in Israel, Jews and
Germans etc., as well as gender relations and animal rights. The final grade will be based on
class attendance and participation, presentation of a study in class, and the submission of a
theoretical or empirical research proposal based on the course material.
Course Program:
General perspectives on the psychology of intergroup relations
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Introduction to the course and to intergroup relations
Social identity theory and self-categorization theory
Social dominance theory
Intergroup Stereotypes and their Consequences
Class 4
Class 5
Stereotype content model
Stereotype threat
A closer look on specific contexts of intergroup relations
Class 6
Class 7
Gender relations and sexism
Anti fat bias and stigma
Improving intergroup relations
Class 8
Class 9
Class 10
Class 11
Class 12
The contact hypothesis – theory, findings, and criticism
Common ingroup identity model
The needs-based model of reconciliation
Collective action
Peace psychology: promoting negative and positive peace
Conclusion
Class 13
Class 14
Discussing students' research proposals
Course summary
Reading:
Mandatory reading is indicated in bold. Extended (but useful!) reading appears in regular font.
For class presentations students can pick one of the articles below or any other social
psychological article hinging on the topics discussed in class (pending the instructor's
approval).
Class
number:
1 Jones, J.M., Zimbardo, P.G., Goldberg, L., Kaufman, B., & King, I. (1996).
Psychological mechanisms of prejudice - Intergroup Relations I: Theory and
Research. In: Prejudice and racism (pp. 203-235). NY: McGraw-Hill Higher
Education.
2 Jones, J.M., Zimbardo, P.G., Goldberg, L., Kaufman, B., & King, I. (1996).
The prejudiced personality: Are some people more likely to feel prejudice? In:
Prejudice and racism (pp. 85-106). NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
3 Jost ,J. T., & Hunyady, O. (2005). Antecedents and consequences of systemjustifying ideologies. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14, 260-265.
4 Fiske, S. T., Cuddy, A. J. C, Glick, P., & Xu, J. (2002) A model of (often mixed)
stereotype content: Competence and warmth respectively follow from
perceived status and competition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
82, 878-902
Leach, C.W., Ellemers, N. & Barreto, M. (2007). Group virtue: The importance of
morality (vs. competence and sociability) in the positive evaluation of in-groups.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 93, 234-249.
5 Steele, C. M., Spencer, S., & Aronson, J. (2002). Contending with group image:
The psychology of stereotype and social identity threat. In M. Zanna (Ed.),
Advances in Experimental Social Psychology Vol. 37. Academic Press.
Cohen, G.L., Garcia, J., Apfel, N. & Master, A. (2006). Reducing the racial
achievement gap: A social-psychological intervention. Science, 313, 13071310.
6 Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (2001). An ambivalent alliance: Hostile and
benevolent sexism as complementary justifications for gender inequality.
American Psychologist, 56, 109–118.
Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T. (1996). The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory:
Differentiating hostile and benevolent sexism. Journal of Personality and Social
Psychology, 70, 491–512.
Glick, P., Lameiras, M., Fiske, S..T., Eckes, T., Masser, B., Vopato, C., et al.
(2004). Bad but bold: Ambivalent attitudes toward men predict gender inequality
in 16 nations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86, 713-728.
7 Puhl, R.M., & Heuer, C.A. (2009). The stigma of obesity: A review and update.
Obesity, 1-23.
Crandall, C. S. (1994). Prejudice against fat people: Ideology and self-interest.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66 882-894.
8 Dixon, J.A., Durrheim, K. & Tredoux, C. (2005). Beyond the optimal strategy:
A “reality check” for the contact hypothesis. American Psychologist, 60, 697711.
Pettigrew T.F., & Tropp, L.R. (2006). A meta-analytic test of intergroup contact
theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 90, 751-783.
9 Dovidio, J. F., Gaertner, S. L, & Saguy, T. (2007). Another view of “we”:
Majority and minority group perspectives on a common ingroup identity.
European Review of Social Psychology, 18, 296-330.
Gaertner, S.L., Dovidio, J.F., Banker, B.S., Houlette, M., Johnson, K.M., McGlynn,
E.A. (2000). Reducing intergroup conflict: From superordinate goals to
decategorization, recategorization, and mutual differentiation. Group Dynamics:
Theory, Research, and Practice, 4, 98-114.
11 Shnabel, N., Nadler, A., Canetti-Nisim, D., & Ullrich, J. (2008). The role of
acceptance and empowerment from the perspective of the Needs-Based
Model. Social Issues and Policy Review, 2, 159-186.
Shnabel, N., Nadler, A., Dovidio, J.F. & Ullrich, J. (working paper). The effects of
receiving messages of empowerment and acceptance on the intergroup orientations
of members of high and low status groups.
11 Leach, C. W., Snider, N., & Iyer, A. (2002). "Poisoning the consciences
of the fortunate": The experience of relative advantage and support for
social equality. In I. Walker & H.J. Smith (Eds.), Relative deprivation:
Specification, development, and integration (pp. 136-163). New York,
NY: Cambridge University Press; US.
Iyer, A. & Leach, C. W. (in press). Helping disadvantaged out-groups challenge
unjust inequality: The role of group-based emotions. In S. Stürmer and M. Snyder
(Eds.), The Psychology of Prosocial Behavior: Group Processes, Intergroup
Relations, and Helping. Wiley-Blackwell.
Christie,
D.J., Tint, B.S., Wagner, R.V., & Winter, D.D. (2008). Peace
12
psychology for a peaceful world. American Psychologist, 63, 540-552.
13 Additional reading (will not be discussed in class): intergroup relations in
organizations.
Brickson, S. L., & Brewer, M. B. (2001). Identity orientation and intergroup
relations in organizations. In M.A. Hogg and D.J. Terry (Eds.), Social identity
processes in organizational contexts: Psychology Press, Philadelphia, (pp. 49-66).
Haslam, A. S. (2001). Psychology in organizations - The social identity Approach.
London: Sage.