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Summary of group dynamics case study
Analyze group dynamics
Analyze group dynamics
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The realistic group conflict theory proposes that whenever there are two or more groups seeking the same limited resources, there will be an escalation towards conflict (Sherif, Harvey, White, Hood, & Sherif, 1961). This conflict can be in various forms including negative stereotypes, negative beliefs, and discrimination between the groups. The groups will form their own interpretations of “ingroups” and “outgroups.” The interpretations then become fuel for competitive action over any limited resources. This action is motivated by their thoughts, which they also deem as “rational” (Houghton, 170). This was tested by Muzafer Sherif with subjects being randomly assigned to groups, and all the participants were without psychological abnormalities. As ethnicity did not have a direct role in his experiment, it is possible to draw from his results, if only with a certain degree of confidence in its relation to national groups. This theory is grounded on the premise that groups will conflict if they must compete …show more content…
This was also studied in conjunction with the realistic group conflict theory, and now poses some opposite claims to the position above. If the groups are able to identify a goal in which they cannot succeed without the other, the desire to work against one another greatly reduces[Cite]. It now becomes more beneficial to cooperate for mutual success, rather than for individual gain. Assuming (if not hoping) that both groups are able to agree on goals that benefit both parties, it would seem the groups would then be able put aside their differences to work towards a gratifying
a. Conflict Theory / pg. 27: A theoretical framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources.
It is widely believed, and reported that crime is higher in communities with higher populations of minority residents. While the authors of Criminological Thought (1990), overviewed what they considered the foundational theorists and contributors to the field of criminology, not all of those examined within the text emphasized the same things. It is the writers position that three of those contributors examined within the book, the respective theories of Earl Richard Quinney, Edwin Sutherland, and Robert Ezra Park, specifically Park’s Social Disorganization Theory, Quinney’s Conflict Theory, and Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory are often utilized to describe the plight of instability in urban communities and crime. This paper
The boys first showed that when humans are put together with strangers to work towards a common goal they will form groups with roles in order to work together better and more efficiently. This was shown from the formation of the two groups The Eagles and The Rattlers. The boys then showed that when put into a competition with another group that tension and rivalry would be sewn between the competing groups. This was illustrated through the actions the groups made against each other like destroying each others flags. The groups then showed that when faced with a common issue they could come together and work towards fixing the problems at hand. The boys showed that this was possible when they worked towards the common goal of fixing the water supply. The significance of this experiment exhibits that the cooperation of a group functioning towards a shared goal can do so much into solving the conflict peacefully as to a dysfunctional
Before the September 11, 2001 bombings, not much social psychological research had focused on Muslim-Americans. As a result of the attack, Muslims quickly became a salient group in American society. At the unfortunate expense of prejudice towards Muslims, 9/11 also led to an increase in research regarding Muslim-Americans (Amer and Bagasra, 2013). Therefore, in analyzing the intergroup relationship between Muslim-Americans and White-Americans we will use 9/11 as the origin of group conflict. Before discussing the driving theories behind the intergroup relationship, it is important to note a certain level of ambiguity in the definition of these groups. We are aware that some Muslim-Americans may in fact also be White (mainly due to religious conversion). Therefore as an operational group, when referring to White-Americans we mean to indicate non-Muslim White Americans.
In the study of theories of criminology that emphasizes the role of social conflict as it underlies criminality and of social change is critical for the understanding of the interplay between social order and law. The conflict perspective, the pluralist perspective, and the consensus perspective are three analytical perspectives that shed light on this subject. Another type of social conflict theory is radical criminology that comes with its own tenants and shortcomings. Peacemaking criminology, left-realist criminology, convict criminology, postmodern criminology, and feminist criminology, are emerging social conflict theories that where associated with the radical ideas of mid-twentieth Marxist criminology.
This experiment was originally tested by Muzafer Sherif is a famous social psychologist who worked on understanding groups and their members. This experiment is to test his Realistic Conflict Theory. The Realistic Conflict Theory studies, “group conflict, negative prejudices, and stereotypes as being the result of competition between groups for desired resources” (McLeod). This study of group conflict and cooperation shows how groups favor their own members, and how in group conflict can be resolved by groups working together on a common task that neither group can complete without the help of the other group. This is proven in this experiment when two groups have to work together to solve a given problem.
Viewing others’ groups as collective makes people feel more connected to their own group, just as in the book The Myth of Individualism by Peter Callero when the scout troops formed solidarity with one another. However, this “us” and “them” mentality also creates a volatile animosity. In a camp setting, the boy scouts began to fight with one another outside of designated games. In a world setting, we achieve what we have in the United States today between the Anglo-Saxon/Christian majorities versus the minority groups of Islamics. Alternatively, we achieve similar polarity between Christian Germans and Jewish Germans before Hitler’s rise to power, and start America on the path to genocide on its
Each individual in any given group may has common good or group goal, also has conflicting interests, as known as Collective Action Dilemmas. It has been recognized long time that individuals often fail to achieved the group goal when work together, one main reason is people are rational. In the state of nation and society, public interests may conflict personal interest, the government as central agent seen as a great mean to solve the problem. For example, all the modern citizens expect great benefits governments provide, such as a highway system, or free elementary education; but for the tax, didn’t see anyone paid with happiness, but always think been over paid.
...embers may differ in the way they may or may not adhere to group consensus when interacting with other ethnic groups. This study will help shed light on the understandings of group conflicts and social interactions in our societies today. The results of these experiments will perhaps convey the ways in which we adhere to illusory group consensus without truly knowing the actual group consensus. These results may indicate that as a society we must interact and communicate with those around us to be able to adequately work together in our communities.
... that areas of expertise can be exploited, different people are good at different things. Groups can discuss material, and that discussion can improve the quality of the decision. Groups are less likely to suffer from judgmental biases that individuals have when they make decisions. People are more likely to follow through on decisions made by groups that they are connected to. Also, more monumental decisions can be made in groups, because one member will not be singled out for blame, making the entire group responsible.
“In sociology, a theory is the framework for analysis that outlines what to focus on and provides predictions about logical outcomes within the framework.” (Durkin & Carrothers, 2015, Ch. 1.3, para 1) Sociologists have been trying to create a single theory to give explanations and understandings towards social and human behavior. However, this has only caused more theoretical perspectives to sprout and has led to the creation of three main theoretical perspectives within sociology. These perspectives are used to explain the social behavior and phenomena that are experienced and shown by humans. The perspectives are functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interaction. This paper will focus on conflict theory and the influence that Karl
1. Blair, Gerard. Groups That Work, www.ee.ed.ac.uk/~gerad/Management/art0 (1998). The effectiveness of the team takes a nosedive, and the productiveness of the team is far less than the individual could have achieved had they not brought together.
When two ethnic groups with historical animosity live in close proximity to one another, it is likely to expect the formation of in-groups which in turn, yield feelings of ethnocentrism. Under these circumstances, each group maintains an air of superiority, a...
Realistic Conflict Theory As one of the oldest social psychology theories, the Realistic Conflict Theory deals with the conflict and hostility that is projected to arise between individuals or groups competing over the same limited resources. Therefore, as a resource, opportunity, or even goal, becomes harder to obtain, the amount of aggression is projected to increase as well. This theory is not only visible in many everyday situations, but it also establishes a basis for which discrimination and prejudice can be partly explained. The initial study of this theory was conducted in a three-step experiment.
Sidanius, James. “The Psychology of Group Conflict and the Dynamics of Oppression: A Social Dominance Perspective” In S. Iyengar & W. J. McGuire (Eds.), Explorations in Political Psychology pp 183-219. Durham: Durham University Press, 1993. Print.