In-group Favoritism - Aggression

Aggression

Struch and Schwartz (1989) in a study looking at predictors of intergroup aggression in relation to in-group bias assert that the Belief Congruence Theory contributes to the source of intergroup aggression. The belief congruence theory concerns itself with the degree of similarity in beliefs, attitudes, and values perceived to exist between individuals. This theory also states that dissimilarity increases negative orientations towards others. When applied to racial discrimination, the belief congruence theory explains that it’s the perceived dissimilarity of beliefs that has more of an impact on racial discrimination than race itself.

Struch and Schwartz also explored the relationship between social identity theory intergroup aggression. In line with that theory he found that similarities rather than differences between the two groups led to greater hostility. When competition is present between the in-group and out-group similarity between the two groups is threatening, in that one could become superior over the other. Also, similarity between groups may threaten the in-group’s uniqueness which could promote hostility between groups.

The major motive for intergroup aggression is the perception of a conflict of interest between in-group and out-group. The way the aggression is justified is through dehumanizing the out-group, because the more the out-group is dehumanized the “less they deserve the humane treatment enjoined by universal norms.” Dehumanization of the out-group allows for the in-group to more easily commit violent acts against the others. When the in-group views the out-group as not human, it lowers inhibition for committing all kinds of atrocities. The stronger the perceived conflict, the larger motivation to harm the out-group, the more the out-group is dehumanized. Also, the more separated one feels from the out-group, the less likely one is to empathize with the out-group or humanize them. For instance, in the Struch and Schwartz study, they looked at the aggression Israeli Jews expressed toward the ultraorthodox subsection of Jews in their country. They stated that many Israeli Jews view this subgroup as threatening to their way of life. The perceived conflict is large, and the Israeli Jews feel they are completely separate in their beliefs and way of life, so the aggression expressed is more intense. The predicting factors they discovered to contribute to aggressive behavior toward the out-group were religious group affiliation, perceived in-group-out-group conflict, and decreased “permeability of boundaries” which is essentially the lack of empathy for the out group.