Intergroup Perspective Research Articles

What Is the (Lack Of) Integration? An Intergroup Perspective Using the Photovoice Methodology

Photovoice is a participatory action research (PAR) method that employes photographic language to explore individuals’ stories and living contexts. This study explores the representations of young participants, both immigrants and non-immigrants, concerning integration—defined within Berry’s (1997) framework as a bidirectional process of cultural and social adaptation between migrants and host communities—and the lack of integration within their neighborhood in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The participants included 12 young individuals (6 migrants and 6 locals) aged 19 to 29, two peer researchers, and one researcher. Over the course of two weekly three-hour meetings, participants captured and discussed photos depicting their perspectives on integration. The findings highlighted diverse conceptualizations of integration. Participants emphasized the reciprocal relationship between migrants and locals, illustrating how positive interactions with schools, workplaces, and public spaces facilitate integration. Additionally, successful migrants were seen as models of empowerment. Conversely, themes such as poverty, loneliness, discrimination, and the impact of war emerged as significant barriers to integration. This study underscores the dynamic and interactive nature of integration, as experienced by young people in multicultural settings. It highlights how Photovoice methodology can effectively capture nuanced perspectives on integration, foster mutual understanding, and facilitate intergroup relationships. The method fosters personal and community reflection, actively engaging its audience in critical discussions about integration.

Ethnic Dynamics in Northern Senatorial Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria: An Inter-Group Perspective

This paper, titled "Inter-Group Relations and Peace in the Northern Senatorial Zone, Taraba State, Nigeria: A Study of Ethnic Dynamics," explores the relationships among diverse ethnic groups in Taraba State's Northern Senatorial Zone. Utilizing qualitative methods, particularly a narrative research design, the study delves into the dynamics of coexistence and tensions among ethnic groups, with a focus on indigenous communities such as the Fulbe, Hausa, Jenjo, Mumye, Wurkun, and others. Data collection involved interviews, participatory observations, and contextual analysis of documentary sources.The findings underscore the rich cultural diversity of Taraba State, where Traditional religions, Islam, and Christianity coexist within localities, deeply rooted in family identities. Historical connections among ethnic groups, characterized by peaceful coexistence, have been disrupted since the creation of Taraba State, leading to ethno-religious conflicts influenced by factors such as ethnic superiority, religious sentiments, and economic disparities. Challenges identified encompass disunity, power struggles, ethnic identity concerns, and unfavorable government policies, revealing the intricate nature of inter-group relations in the zone. Addressing these challenges necessitates collaborative efforts involving traditional, political, governmental, non-governmental, and religious entities. Recommendations to foster lasting harmony include increasing awareness and education, establishing dialogue platforms, promoting interfaith dialogue, empowering local communities, enhancing security measures, collaborating with NGOs, and conducting media sensitization campaigns to encourage responsible reporting and unity among diverse communities.

The Psychological Responses of People with Low Socioeconomic Status to Economic Inequality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: an Intergroup Perspective

The Psychological Responses of People with Low Socioeconomic Status to Economic Inequality during the COVID-19 Pandemic: an Intergroup Perspective

Differential Forgiveness Perspectives and Their Implications on Bangsamoro-Christian Conflict Resolution

Abstract The article explored intergroup perspectives among Bangsamoro and Christian group members to determine their impact on forgiveness-based peace initiatives and conflict resolution. It adopts a qualitative approach by analyzing thematically four (4) focus group discussions. Bangsamoro participants’ themes on Intergroup Forgiveness as a Process of Negotiation and Pride as Key Factor in the Process of Intergroup Forgiveness stress socio-religious and political leaders’ roles including that of cultural values such as maratabat (honor) and sabar (silent forbearance). Christian participants’ Intergroup Forgiveness as an Outcome through Discussion/Communication theme emphasizes understanding and pride’s impact on the forgiveness process. These findings bring to awareness the complexity of integrating intergroup forgiveness in current peacebuilding interventions.

Explaining the paradox of conspiracy theories and system‐justifying beliefs from an intergroup perspective

AbstractBy distinguishing between ingroup versus outgroup conspiracy theories, this research seeks to explain a paradox in conspiracy theory research, namely, that conspiracy beliefs are associated with both derogation and justification of the social system. Study 1 (N = 1,481) was a survey in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic in China, and the results revealed a negative correlation between belief in ingroup conspiracy theories and system‐justifying beliefs. In Study 2 (N = 195), exposure to outgroup conspiracy theories positively predicted system‐justifying beliefs, a finding that was serially mediated by external attributions and collective narcissism. In Study 3 (N = 256), exposure to ingroup conspiracy theories negatively predicted system‐justifying beliefs, a result that was serially mediated by internal attributions and anomie. In Study 4 (N = 616), exposure to a conspiracy theory about the US government increased system‐justifying beliefs among Chinese participants and decreased them among US participants. The distinction between ingroup versus outgroup conspiracy theories hence implies two different processes through which conspiracy theories affect system‐justifying beliefs.

An Intergroup Perspective on Antecedents of Negative Attitudes Towards Covid-19 Vaccine: The Role of Conspiratorial Beliefs, Perceived Assumptive International Collaboration, and Vaccine National Glorification

An Intergroup Perspective on Antecedents of Negative Attitudes Towards Covid-19 Vaccine: The Role of Conspiratorial Beliefs, Perceived Assumptive International Collaboration, and Vaccine National Glorification

The police and those policed as intergroup par excellence: Current trends and future prospects

In many communities, certain segments of the population do not have trust and confidence in the police. These issues are particularly intense in some impoverished minority communities in which people are more likely to fear the police than to trust them. Much can be learned about the patterned dynamics between police and communities from the study of intergroup relations generally, and intergroup communication more specifically. Unfortunately, these phenomena have not yet been well studied from an intergroup perspective. In this prologue to the special issue, “The Police and the Policed,” we introduce contemporary trends in police–community relations from an intergroup perspective, and we provide a brief overview of the articles appearing in the special issue. We close by highlighting key take-aways from this collection, articulating a vision for future research on police–community relations from an intergroup perspective.

Cultural values, system justification, meritocratic beliefs, and evaluations of governments' performance in handling the COVID‐19 crisis

AbstractSystem justification and meritocratic beliefs legitimize the status quo of economic, social, and political arrangements, and may correlate with favourable evaluations of governments' performance during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study furthers research on this topic by examining (1) the cultural value antecedents of system justification and meritocratic beliefs, and (2) the differential effects of these on attitudes toward ingroups and outgroups from an intergroup perspective. The results show that collectivist values positively predict system justification and meritocratic beliefs, whereas a similar effect was not observed for individualist values. As hypothesized, system justification motivation was positively associated with favourable evaluation of the Chinese government (an ingroup). By contrast, system justification and meritocratic beliefs were negatively associated with evaluation of the American government (an outgroup). We discussed the implications for understandings of the cultural value bases of system justification and meritocratic beliefs, and the relevance of the lens of intergroup relations in studying those beliefs.

The balance between status quo and change when minorities try to access top ranks: a tale about women achieving professorship

PurposeThis paper aims to study vertical gender segregation, which persists even in the fields where women are represented at junior levels. Academia is an example. Individual performance and lack of a critical mass do not fully explain the problem. Thus, this paper adopted an intergroup perspective (i.e. social identity and competition theories) to study how a majority (i.e. men) can influence the advancement of a minority (i.e. women).Design/methodology/approachThe paper investigated promotions from associate to full professor in Italy. The original data set included all promotions from 2013 to 2016. To study intergroup dynamics, individual-level variables were analysed together with structural factors, such as gender representation and availability of resources.FindingsThe effect of gender representation was significant in that promotions were more likely when full professor ranks within academic institutions were men-dominated and associate professor ranks were women-dominated. Concurrently, the analysis of individual-level variables supported the existence of discrimination against women. The paper argues that the majority grants more promotions under the pressure of change; however, this does not contrast with discrimination at the individual level.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper focused only on one country. However, the framework can be applied in other contexts and used to study segregation based on factors other than gender.Originality/valueThis study explored gender segregation from a new perspective, highlighting the importance of the interplay between individual and structural factors. This interplay might be one of the causes of the slow progress of gender equality.

The use of virtual reality in studying prejudice and its reduction: A systematic review.

This systematic review provides an up-to-date analysis of existing literature about Virtual Reality (VR) and prejudice. How has VR been used in studying intergroup attitudes, bias and prejudice, are VR interventions effective at reducing prejudice, and what methodological advantages and limitations does VR provide compared to traditional methods are the questions we aim to answer. The included studies had to use VR to create an interaction with one or more avatars belonging to an outgroup, and/or embodiment in an outgroup member; furthermore, they had to be quantitative and peer-reviewed. The review of the 64 included studies shows the potential of VR contact to improve intergroup relations. Nevertheless, the results suggest that under certain circumstances VR contact can increase prejudice as well. We discuss these results in relation to the intergroup perspective (i.e., minority or majority) and target minority groups used in the studies. An analysis of potential mediators and moderators is also carried out. We then identify and address the most pressing theoretical and methodological issues concerning VR as a method to reduce prejudice.

Disparagement humor: Could laughter dissolve hostility?

<p id=C6>Disparagement humor refers to communication that derogates or denigrates a certain target but elicits amusement. Blending two contradictory elements in terms of social approvability, the paradox of disparagement humor has sparked three major questions: how does amusement arise from disparagement? What determines whether an attempt at disparagement humor is perceived to be funny or offensive? What are the unique aftereffects of this fusion? Four major theoretical frameworks have been proposed to understand the psychological mechanism of disparagement humor. From a psychoanalytic perspective, relief theory suggests that the entertainment of humor comes from the catharsis of hostility. From an intergroup perspective, superiority theory suggests that the feeling of superiority generated by the disparagement of others leads to humorous experiences. From a cognitive perspective, incongruity-resolution theory suggests that humor derives from the resolution of incongruencies. Additionally, from a cognitive perspective, to provide a more accurate and universal explanation for humor than incongruity-resolution theory, benign violation theory suggests that humor comes from appraising something as both a violation and benign. Among the theories, the former two address the unique motivational factors underlying disparagement humor, while the latter two provide universal cognitive models to explain all humor, including disparagement humor. Thus, a motivational cognition model proposed later in the article could effectively depict an integrated picture of the psychological mechanism of disparagement humor. However, people do not necessarily find disparagement humor funny; sometimes it is offensive. Factors influencing the reception of disparagement humor include group identities and attitudes, psychological distance between the recipient and the object of derogation, and personal and cultural differences. The social effects of humor and derogatory comments are usually opposite, but the fusion of the two can produce unique outcomes. First, it can serve as a prejudice releaser by creating a social norm that allows the expression of prejudice, which is normally forbidden in modern society. In addition, the use of disparagement humor can serve to reinforce social hierarchies by functioning as a legitimizing myth that justifies expressions of social dominance motivations. Conversely, when disparagement humor is used by a disadvantaged social group to subvert an inequitable social hierarchy, the strategy of covering an insubordinate message with humor may encourage the expression of subversion and thus promote social equity. Finally, the impacts of disparagement humor on interpersonal interactions are inconsistent due to the contradictory effects of disparagement and humor. After reviewing the relevant theories and studies, we propose an integrated process model of disparagement. The model takes benign violation theory as its fundamental framework, dividing the completion of disparagement humor into three parts: first, the expresser delivers disparagement; second, the audience evaluates the disparagement as benign; and third, a sense of humor is produced. The model also integrates the motivational perspectives of relief theory and superiority theory by addressing motivational factors in the delivery and evaluation process. In addition, the model displays the retroaction of disparagement humor’s aftereffects on its delivery and evaluation by combining the prejudice-releaser and legitimizing-myth role of disparagement humor. As it depicts a comprehensive process and captures the dynamism of disparagement humor, the model can hopefully serve as a scaffold for future research. It is also important for future research to explore the negative effects of disparagement humor. Moreover, the potentially positive effects of disparagement humor on intergroup relations and social justice when used by disadvantaged groups to fight social injustice merit investigation. Finally, it could be rewarding to study the cultural distinctiveness of disparagement humor in certain aspects of Chinese culture, such as its essential foreignness and prosperous localization, the commercialization trend of disparagement jokes, and the specifically Chinese content conveyed and popularized by disparagement humor.

Anger among Chinese migrants amid COVID-19 discrimination: The role of host news coverage, cultural distance, and national identity.

As the early COVID-19 outbreak sparked xenophobia against people of Asian and Chinese background, we collected data from Chinese migrants worldwide to test how discrimination at a macro-level was perceived by the Chinese during COVID-19 globally. Specifically, we examined (1) whether/how the Chinese migrants were aware of discrimination against their co-nationals during COVID; (2) if so, whether anger was a predominant reaction of these Chinese towards certain exposure to relevant information; (3) how responses of anger transcend across the group of Chinese migrants. Integrating the ecological approach to media and cultural psychology, as well as the intergroup perspective of social psychology, we conducted a study that explored the impact of traditional media exposure to discrimination on collective anger—a process mediated by national identity among the Chinese migrants. Findings provide some evidence that geographically dispersed mono-cultural groups may share or identify with collective emotions when facing xenophobic threats in a macro context. Further examination of cultural distance (between China and the host country) among the Chinese migrants also revealed a particular interaction between host newspaper coverage and cultural distance on national identity. These findings suggest further research to examine the emotional norms of similar cultures bonded via strong collective identities in times of intergroup threat and the theoretical possibility for diasporic identity processes.

Introduction: Language and Communication Related to COVID-19

The occurrence of COVID-19 has a strong impact on individuals’ as well as public life. This Special Issue brings together research on language and communication addressing the challenges resulting from the Corona virus situation. Seven original papers followed by a discussion, address research on language and communication related to COVID-19 using different theoretical backgrounds, methodological approaches, as well as different foci on individual, interpersonal, and intergroup perspectives. The foci addressed in the contributions of the Special Issue stretch from discrimination and intergroup stigmatization to the laypeople's perception and evaluation of science and health communication messages.

Introduction to “Psychology, Global Threats, Social Challenge, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: European Perspectives”

Introduction to “Psychology, Global Threats, Social Challenge, and the COVID-19 Pandemic: European Perspectives”

Advancing developmental intergroup perspectives on social class

AbstractRecent research has contributed to developmental scientists’ understanding of how children and adolescents reason about social class in relation to themselves, others, and their economic, social, and cultural world. To advance developmental intergroup perspectives on social class, in this article, we (1)definesocial class, (2) evaluate whether the evidence about social classalignswith key predictions from developmental intergroup theory (DIT) and social identity development theory (SIDT), (3) outline how complementary insights from DIT and SIDT can beintegratedto describe and explain developing concepts of social class, and (4) highlight what isuniqueabout social class andadditional considerationsimportant to the study of social class that developmental intergroup researchers need to consider. In each section, we emphasize strengths and limitations of the research and offers suggestions for ongoing research.

Unsupported and Stigmatized? The Association Between Relationship Status and Well-Being Is Mediated by Social Support and Social Discrimination

Single adults, on average, experience worse well-being compared to coupled adults. But why? The current research bridged interpersonal and intergroup perspectives to examine the influence of social support and social discrimination on single versus coupled adults’ well-being. We drew on a nationally representative prospective study from New Zealand (Study 1, N = 4,024) and an integrative data analysis of three North American data sets examining peoples’ general (Study 2, N = 806) and day-to-day (Study 2, N = 889 and 9,228 observations) social experiences. The results demonstrated that single adults reported lower life satisfaction compared to coupled adults, and this may be partly due to single adults reporting lower perceptions of social support availability and greater experiences of negative treatment and discrimination compared to coupled adults. These novel findings move away from stereotypical assumptions about singlehood and highlight the important role of social relationships and interactions in determining single adults’ happiness and well-being.

Intergroup attitudes between meat-eaters and meat-avoiders: The role of dietary ingroup identification

Why might some meat-eaters and meat-avoiders express negative attitudes toward each other? We investigated intergroup attitudes and potential underpinnings of these attitudes across three different dietary groups—veg*ans (vegetarians and vegans), flexitarians (people who restrict their meat intake partially), and meat-eaters—in Turkey ( NStudy 1 = 366; NStudy 2 = 450). In both studies, veg*ans showed the greatest ingroup favouritism and reported the highest ingroup identification and perceived discrimination. Meat enjoyment, moral consideration, and perceived veg*an threat (among meat-eaters) predicted dietary ingroup identification in Study 1, whereas perceived discrimination towards one’s dietary group was the strongest predictor of identification among all dietary groups in Study 2. Among meat-avoiders, but not among meat-eaters, stronger dietary ingroup identification was associated with more negative outgroup attitudes. Findings are discussed in light of social identity theories and intergroup perspectives.

The role of social identity in the explanation of collective action: An intergroup perspective on the Yellow Vests movement

AbstractSocial psychologists have developed influential theoretical models to understand intergroup conflicts, radicalism, and collective action. November 2018 saw the emergence of a new powerful movement in France named the Yellow Vests. Born on social media, the movement has sustained an unprecedented period of intense protests and violent clashes with the police, challenging the French government. As such, this movement offers an ideal context to examine the real‐world relevance of current social‐psychological theorizing. Using a social identity and self‐categorization perspective, two correlational studies (three samples, N = 1,849) tested the role of self‐categorization as a group member, or social identity, in accounting for individual participation in normative and nonnormative collective action. Using different operationalizations of identification, both studies confirm a powerful role of identification as a Yellow Vest and provided evidence that the effect of social media use on collective action is fully mediated by self‐categorization as a Yellow Vest. An alternative model suggesting that social media use mediated the relation between social identity and collective action was not supported by the data.

(Re)discovering social identity theory: an agenda for multinational enterprise internalization theory

PurposeFirm internalization is a central concept within the business strategy literature, as part of the broader social sciences. The purpose of this paper is to show how and where MNE internalization theory can benefit from a social identity theory (SIT) perspective to better understand 21st-century multinational enterprises (MNEs).Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a review and future research agenda for the use of SIT related to MNE internalization theory. The authors complement an evolutionary review of SIT literature with a systematic bibliometric analysis identifying specific thematic gaps. Extending Buckley and Casson’s review of and future research agenda for MNE internalization theory, the authors propose three specific future research directions along with eight guiding research questions.FindingsInternational business (IB) scholars are familiar with limited aspects of SIT and apply it only in certain research areas, mainly connected to human resource management and leadership, organizational identity and work-related outcomes or international marketing. Strategic management and strategy-oriented IB scholars are less familiar with SIT, despite growing interest in MNE micro-foundations and decision-making under uncertainty.Originality/valueThe authors position SIT as a natural meta-theoretical fit to MNE internalization theory. By providing a future research agenda along with eight supporting research questions, the authors help to advance the MNE internalization theory by linking individual, group and intergroup perspectives against a more socially nuanced, interactionist and dynamic view of MNEs and their decision-making.

Understanding adolescents' acculturation processes: New insights from the intergroup perspective.

Recent developments in the acculturation literature have emphasized the importance of adopting intergroup perspectives that provide a valuable background for investigating how acculturation orientations (i.e., maintenance of the culture of origin and the adoption of the destination culture) of adolescents from migrant families are embedded in their proximal socialization contexts. Accordingly, we sought to understand the combined effects of the perceived parents' acculturation orientations and classmates' acculturation preferences on adolescents' own acculturation orientations in two independent cultural contexts, namely North-East of Italy (Study I) and South-East of Turkey (Study II). Participants were 269 (53.2% female; Mage = 14.77) and 211 (71.1% female; Mage = 15.37) adolescents from migrant families in Italy and in Turkey, respectively. Findings indicated that adolescents' acculturation orientations were influenced by their perceptions of both parents' acculturation orientations and classmates' acculturation preferences. In addition, the effects of parents' adoption of the destination culture were stronger than the effects of classmates' preferences for adoption of the destination culture in both countries. However, the effects of parents' maintenance of the culture of origin were stronger than the effects of classmates' preferences for maintaining the culture of origin in Turkey, but not in Italy.