Intergroup Cognition And Emotion Analysis

Intergroup Cognition and Emotions Theories
Student
University
Abstract
Prejudice has a long troubling history between groups in America and abroad. Prejudicial attitudes and intergroup groups biases lays path for destruction. Ingroup biases play a key role in creating actions against others; especially when ingroup threats emerge. How these intergroup threats are perceived can cause extreme negative outcomes. This paper will discuss a current event, the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. This event has made national headlines. The intergroup threat and intergroup emotions theories will be discussed to interpret the dynamics of this event. Key tenets of these theories will be applied, the role of emotion
Emotion is underlying driving force that influences intergroup and out group conflicts and threats. Negative intergroup emotions and perceptual biases contribute to threats and behavioral responses. For example, the in-group threat theory perceived or realistic threats evoke emotions between the in-group and out group; these emotions can cause negative reactions (Stephan, Ybarra, & Morrison, 2009). The ingroup emotions theory outlines emotions are associated with categorizations and multiple identities; verses single biological entities. Emotion is not restricted to just an individual level; it includes a social phenomenon. Moreover if specific emotions are experienced repeatedly over time to a particular group these feelings become associated with mental representation of that given group; through the process of classical conditioning. These emotions are then more likely to be reactivated when there is an encountered or thought. Action tendencies may also become chronically accessible in the same fashion; in that the perceiver may feel impulses to attack or harm the group or member every time they think about or come in contact with them (Mackie, Maitner, & Smith, 2009). This can explain what was occurring with Zimmerman outlook toward Martin from the onset. Further information reveals that emotions between the groups are appraisal based. Most often in-groups emotions are based on appraisal; how the
The chance that biases and prejudicial attitudes will emerge again between the groups is likely; with the pending court case. The groups should look toward learning from this tragic event. The Trayvon Martin shooting is an example of the destruction that can occur when there is an ingroup and out group conflict. Group conflicts always involve more than an individual member when an event like this happen; as it impacted the nation. There are a many ways to reduce intergroup bias and prejudices; however it requires work and a conscious effort. Information retrieved from Dovidio & Gaertner( 2010) outlines that addressing contemporary forms of ingroup biases and prejudices requires alternative strategies; in addition to educational classes. Individual-level strategies can engage motivations that move people to become non-prejudiced; this includes focusing on realistic conflict between the groups and the psychological effects of categorization. Intergroup contact should be considered as a primary focus; this includes empowering cooperation between the groups. This can reduce bias by reducing the salience of the intergroup boundaries, through the process of de-categorization. Benefits of intergroup contact can occur through many routes; these are producing more individuated perceptions of out-group members; this includes more personalized relationships (Dovidio & Gaertner, 2010). Intergroup