270138 Research on intergroup relations and social power (S) (SoSe 2012)

The seminar aims to develop basic skills for conducting research on intergroup relations and social power. It will be based on a combination of discussion of some of the cutting edge literature on the topic, and development of research ideas by the participants. The seminar explores the link between the hierarchical organization of group relationships and ideological attitudes, focusing on the mechanisms supporting ideological reproduction. These mechanisms are distinguished at different levels: individual, institution, group, society; which will be discussed in three thematic sections.
The first section emphasizes discrimination at the institutional level, based on self selection bias, institutional selection bias, the reward system, the socialization of the members and, members attrition.
The second section discusses the so called every-day discrimination or banal prejudice. This section will discuss the problems concerning the naturalization of situations of discrimination, the acceptance of discrimination for members of highly discriminated groups, the asymmetrical ideologies of groups with different status, the problems of generalized prejudice (e.g. Group-Focused Enmity), and discrimination between low status groups.
Finally, the third section addresses the link between socio-structural variables, such as income distribution and other economic issues, education, social gender differences, and so on, and psychological wellbeing and intergroup relations.
Students will be expected to actively participate on the literature discussion, present and discuss their own research ideas, and finally write a report on one of the topics of the seminar.

Requirements for participation, required level

Every activity of the seminar (lectures, students' presentation, discussions, readings and writing essays) will be in English
Basic knowledge on research methods and social psychology is requiered.
Previous participation in the seminar on Political Psychology is desirable, but not requierd.

Bibliography

Carney, D. R., Jost, J. T., Gosling, S. D., & Potter, J. (2008). The Secret Lives of Liberals and Conservatives: Personality Profiles, Interactions Styles, and the Things They Leave Behind. Political Psychology, 29 (6), 807–840.
Gatto, J., Dambrun, M., Kerbrat, C., & De Oliveira, P. (2010). Prejudice in the police: On the processes underlying the effects of selection and group socialisation. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40, 252-269.
Giguère, B., & Lalonde, R. N. (2010). Why Do Students Strike? Direct and Indirect Determinants of Collective Action Participation. Political Psychology, 31(2), 227-247.
Ginges, J., & Atran, S. (2009). What motivates participation in violent political action: selective incentives or parochial altruism? Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1167, 115-123.
Haley, H., & Sidanius, J. (2005). Person–Organization Congruence and the Maintenance of Group-Based Social Hierarchy: A Social Dominance Perspective. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 8(2), 187–203.
Napier, J. L., & Jost, J. T. (2008). Why are conservatives happier than liberals? Psychological Science, 19(6), 565-72.
Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S, (2006). Social Dominance Theory and the Dynamics of Intergroup Relations: Taking Stock and Looking Forward. European Review of Social Psychology, 17, 271-320.
Saguy, T., Tausch, N., Dovidio, J. F., & Pratto, F. (2009). The irony of harmony: Intergroup contact can produce false expectations for equality. Psychological Science, 20(1), 114–121.
Sidanius, J., Mitchell, M., Haley, H., & Navarrete, C. D., (2006). Support for Harsh Criminal Sanctions and Criminal Justice Beliefs: A Social Dominance Perspective. Social Justice Research, 19, 433-449.
Zick, A., Wolf, C., Küpper, B., Davidov, E., Schmidt, P., Heitmeyer, W., et al. (2008). The Syndrome of Group-Focused Enmity: The Interrelation of Prejudices Tested with Multiple Cross-Sectional and Panel Data. Journal of Social Issues, 64, 363-383.

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