Question 1

Suppose that some people have just been randomly assigned to two different teams. Research suggests that these people would be likely to exhibit discriminatory behavior (favoring the ingroup, and disfavoring the outgroup) ____.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that people exhibit ingroup favoritism as soon as groups have been defined, without the need for direct competition, shared hardship, or a strong personal identity with the ingroup. This behavior can be seen as a result of social categorization and the natural human tendency to identify with similar others.

Question 2

According to the textbook, is competition something that exists across the world, in all known cultures, or are there cultures that are completely peaceful?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the textbook, is competition something...

Question 3

Suppose that Aretha grew up in New York, but currently works in California as a Human Resources Director. While she tries to be unbiased when reviewing job applications, she knows that she has a tendency to favor New York applicants over other applicants. That is, she tends to engage in ____.

Accepted Answer

Aretha's tendency to favor applicants from her hometown is an example of ingroup favoritism, which occurs when individuals show preferential treatment to those who belong to the same group as them. The other options are not applicable in this scenario - the discontinuity effect refers to the tendency for groups to become more extreme in their decision-making when they are working together, stigma by association refers to unfairly attributing negative qualities to individuals based on their association with a stigmatized group, and the minimal group effect refers to the tendency for individuals to favor members of a group they have been arbitrarily assigned to.

Question 4

Groups are more influenced by competition than individuals are. This effect has been dubbed ____.

Accepted Answer

The discontinuity effect refers to the phenomenon where groups tend to be more competitive and less cooperative than individuals, often leading to more extreme behavior in group settings.

Question 5

In the context of realistic conflict theory, the term "superordinate goal" refers to a goal that ____.

Accepted Answer

In the context of realistic conflict theory, a superordinate goal is a goal that can be achieved only by cooperating and working with others, and therefore requires the different groups to work together towards a common goal rather than compete against each other. This can help reduce intergroup conflict and foster more positive intergroup relations. Examples of superordinate goals include addressing environmental issues, promoting peace and security, and achieving social justice.

Question 6

Sherif's Robber's Cave Study was conducted in ____ phases.

Accepted Answer

Sherif's Robber's Cave Study was conducted in three phases. Phase 1 was the formation of two separate groups, Phase 2 was the introduction of competition and Phase 3 was the introduction of cooperation.

Question 7

Research concerning prejudice and discrimination against gays and lesbians suggests that ____.

Accepted Answer

Research shows that prejudice and discrimination against gays and lesbians are mainly rooted in various fears, such as fear of the unknown or fear of breaking gender norms, rather than religious beliefs or cultural norms. Laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexuality have been shown to be somewhat effective in reducing discrimination, but more work needs to be done to change people's attitudes. While negative attitudes towards homosexuality are prevalent in many cultures, there are also cultures that are more accepting and supportive.

Question 8

According to realistic group conflict theory, white people should show the most prejudice against minority groups when ____.

Accepted Answer

Realistic group conflict theory suggests that prejudice and discrimination arise when groups compete for scarce resources, such as jobs. When the economy is doing poorly, white people may feel as though they are competing with minorities for limited job opportunities, leading to increased prejudice and hostility towards minority groups. When the economy is doing well, white people may feel threatened by the success of minorities, leading to prejudice and discrimination. Therefore, choice B is the best answer as it aligns with this theory.

Question 9

People tend to show a preference for ingroups over outgroups even when group membership is determined at random, and even when they have never interacted with members of their ingroup. This tendency is known as ____.

Accepted Answer

The described phenomenon is known as the minimal group effect, where people show preference for their ingroups even when the group membership is arbitrary or meaningless. The other options are not accurate descriptions of this phenomenon.

Question 10

The discontinuity effect refers to ____.

Accepted Answer

The discontinuity effect refers to the phenomenon where groups are more competitive and less cooperative than individuals, often leading to more aggressive or competitive behavior in group settings.

Question 11

In Bonta's study of peaceful, cooperative societies, ____ of the 25 did not have competition at all.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In Bonta's study of peaceful, cooperative societies,...

Question 12

According to the textbook, there are a number of contemporary societies that are completely peaceful, and do not have any form of competition or intergroup strife. On the downside, however, these societies tend to ____.

Accepted Answer

These societies are often described as being less successful in economic and political terms because they may not prioritize or engage in competitive practices that drive economic growth and political power.

Question 13

Because realistic conflict theory describes people competing over scarce resources, one could argue that it is simply ____ theory Bloom's: Apply to group conflict.

Accepted Answer

Realistic conflict theory suggests that intergroup conflicts arise when groups compete over limited resources, leading to frustration and aggression. This is consistent with frustration-aggression theory, which proposes that frustration often leads to aggression. Therefore, the best choice is C, frustration-aggression theory. Social categorization is not directly related to the idea of limited resources, and scapegoat and jigsaw theories do not address resource competition at all.

Question 14

In Muzafer Sherif's research with 11-year-old boys at a summer camp in Robber's Cave, it was found that ____ tended to increase prejudice, while ____ tended to reduce it.

Accepted Answer

Sherif's Robber's Cave experiment demonstrated that competition between groups increased prejudice, while working towards superordinate goals, which required cooperation between groups, reduced prejudice.

Question 15

Recall Muzafer Sherif's research with two groups of 11-year-old boys camping at Robber's Cave (the "Eagles" and the "Rattlers"). The groups were fiercely competitive for several weeks. What triggered a peaceful reconciliation? That is, how was their animosity finally brought to an end?

Accepted Answer

The boys were brought together and given a common goal that they could only achieve through cooperative efforts, thereby reducing intergroup hostility and promoting cooperation. This is known as the superordinate goal approach.

Question 16

Recall Muzafer Sherif's research with two groups of 11-year boys camping at Robber's Cave (the "Eagles" and the "Rattlers"). Which of the following theories best accounts for the kind of prejudice that existed between these groups?

Accepted Answer

Realistic conflict theory suggests that intergroup hostility and prejudice result from opposing goals and competition between groups for limited resources. The hostility between the Eagles and the Rattlers in Sherif's study emerged due to a competition for limited resources (prestige and control over the camp) and opposing goals.

Question 17

During the second phase of the Robber's Cave experiment, the boys from the Eagles and the Rattlers had ____ contact with each other.

Accepted Answer

During the second phase of the Robber's Cave experiment, the boys from the Eagles and the Rattlers had competitive contact with each other. They were put in a series of competitive activities such as sports and games, which led to increased hostility and negative attitudes towards each other.

Question 18

Countries that value competition generally have ____ levels of conflict and ____ levels of economic success.

Accepted Answer

Countries that value competition tend to have higher levels of conflict due to competitive dynamics but also achieve higher levels of economic success due to the drive for innovation and efficiency.

Question 19

The so-called "minimal group effect" most directly suggests that ____.

Accepted Answer

The minimal group effect suggests that even when people are assigned to a group based on arbitrary and meaningless characteristics (such as a coin toss), they still show a preference for their own group and discriminate against the out-group. This implies that people have a natural tendency to divide the world into "us" and "them" and prefer those who are in the same group as themselves.

Question 20

Which of the following comes closest to the textbook's conclusion regarding the elimination of prejudice?

Accepted Answer

The textbook's conclusion suggests that while it is possible to reduce specific prejudices, overall tendencies for stereotyping and ingroup favoritism appear to be innate and thus may not be completely eliminable. This aligns with option A. Option B suggests prejudice could be significantly reduced via education and structural changes, which is also partially true, but the textbook concludes that complete elimination may not be possible. Option C is not entirely accurate as the textbook does not suggest that prejudice-free cultures exist. Option D is not accurate as the textbook does suggest that some reduction of specific prejudices is possible.

Quiz 13: Prejudice and Intergroup Relations