This thesis studied the nature and consequences of close intergroup contact in Nigeria. Chapter 1 provides a background to intergroup relations between the ethno-religious groups in Nigeria. Chapter 2 provides an introduction to the theoretical framework, which is the intergroup contact hypothesis (Allport, 1954), with special emphasis on the role of friendship in intergroup contact research. The chapter addresses the possibility that negative intergroup contact exacerbates prejudice and outlines the role of indirect forms of intergroup contact, namely extended contact (Wright, Aron, McLaughlin-Volpe, & Ropp, 1997), vicarious contact (Mazziotta, Mummendey, & Wright, 2011), and imagined contact (Crisp & Turner, 2009) in prejudice reduction. Indirect forms of contact have been suggested as alternatives to direct contact, if no or only limited direct contact opportunities are available. All empirical studies in this thesis were conducted in south-west Nigeria with respondents who belong to the Yoruba majority group. The target groups were Hausas, Edos, and Igbos (minority groups in the area). Chapter 3 consists of two repeated measure studies (Studies 1 and 2) which compare the quality of in-group (Yoruba and Yoruba) and cross-group (Yoruba and Igbo) friendships. The findings showed that, provided the duration of friendship is controlled for, cross-group friendships are rated as largely similar in quality and closeness to in-group friendships, fulfilling key functions of friendship. Chapter 4 consists of two cross-sectional studies (Studies 3 and 4) which tested the secondary transfer effects from direct and extended cross-group friendships. The findings showed that direct and extended cross-group friendship with Igbos was associated with more favourable attitudes towards Hausas. The studies showed for the first time that extended cross-group friendship yields secondary transfer effects. Chapter 5 focuses on the effects of positive and negative intergroup contact with Igbos on out-group attitudes (Study 5). It was shown that negative intergroup contact had an effect on attitudes over and above the effect of positive contact. As expected, positive contact with Igbos was associated with more favourable attitudes towards Igbos, and negative contact with Igbos was associated with less favourable attitudes towards Igbos. Additionally, Study 5 showed secondary transfer effects of negative intergroup contact. Chapter 6 contains a multilevel-study (Study 6) which explores the effects of roommate diversity (i.e., having at least one Igbo roommate) on out-group attitudes. Roommate diversity was linked to more positive attitudes towards Igbos, the roommate’s ethnic group. Moreover, it was shown that contact with Igbos was associated with more positive attitudes towards Edos and Hausas on the within-level. On the between-level roommate diversity was associated with more positive attitudes towards Egos. Chapter 7 summarizes the key findings of the studies and discusses theoretical and practical implications of the research.

This thesis investigated the effects of intergroup contact on different types of collective action tendencies among advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Studies 1 and 2 tested the simultaneous effects of intergroup contact and established predictors of collective action on collective action tendencies and ingroup and outgroup oriented policies among Blacks and Whites in South Africa, and compared the effects of intergroup contact and social identity on collective action tendencies via relative deprivation and group efficacy. The findings revealed that while social identity was positively associated with collective action tendencies, both directly and indirectly, effects of contact were negative and indirect via relative deprivation and group efficacy. Studies 3 and 4 investigated the effects of contact and social identity on collective action tendencies via perceived threats. Using data from Turkish and Kurdish groups in Turkey, I found that social identity predicted collective action tendencies positively, both directly and indirectly, while it predicted outgroup attitudes negatively and indirectly via perceived threats. Intergroup contact, on the other hand, predicted outgroup attitudes positively, both directly and indirectly, and collective action tendencies negatively via perceived threats. In Study 5, intergroup contact was positively associated, both directly and indirectly, via perspective taking and collective guilt, associated with outgroup oriented collective action tendencies. In Study 6, the effect of social identity on ingroup oriented collective action was positive and direct. Intergroup contact with the weaker minority group, on the other hand, was positively associated with outgroup oriented collective action tendencies via perspective taking. Additionally, intergroup contact with the majority outgroup moderated this relationship. When participants reported more contact with the majority group, intergroup contact with the weaker minority was not associated with outgroup oriented collective action tendencies. However, when the participants reported less contact with the majority group, intergroup contact positively predicted outgroup oriented collective action tendencies. Finally, Study 7 investigated the effects of two different dimensions of contact, contact with the majority and minority on collective action, via outgroup attitudes, dual-identification, and common ingroup identity in a three wave longitudinal design (N=610) among Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus. While the results did not support findings from the previous studies on the so-called paradoxical effects of contact on collective action tendencies, they revealed a robust negative reciprocal relationship between outgroup attitudes toward Greek Cypriots and collective action tendencies.

Statement of the Problem.-- This study was designed to determine whether or not there is any relationship between knowledge of intergroup relations and certain mental traits. Definition of Terms. -- In order to preclude ambiguity or misunderstanding, certain terms used in the study are defined in the paragraphs immediately below. The term "intergroup relations" as used in this study "is defined as including race relations, interoreedal problems, immigrant cultures, rural urban contacts, and socioeconomic ( or class) differences." "Stereotyping" is used in a narrow sense to refer to "tendencies toward positive or negative rating of personality traits as applied to members of certain groups as such." The term "attitudes" is used in accordance with the concept employed in the design o:f' "An Opinionaire in Intergroup Relations" in which they are referred to as ideas, viewpoints, opinions, and beliefs concerning a number of current issues in intergroup relations affecting four minority groups -- Jews, Negroes, foreign born, and lower class people. "Intelligence" is used in the study as that which is measured by the "New California Short-Form Test of' Mental Maturity, Advanced '47 S-Form," namely, "the maturity of' spatial relationships; of logical reasoning ; of mathematical reasoning; and of useful concepts or vocabulary." "Personality adjustment" is considered in the light of the implications of' the factors measured by the "California Test of' Personality"; namely, a balance between self' adjustment based on feelings of' personal security and social adjustment based on feelings of social security. Purpose of the Study.-- The purpose of' this study was to answer the following questions: 1. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of' intergroup relations and attitudes toward Jews, Negroes, foreign born, and lower class people, separately and combined 2. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of' intergroup relations and similarity of attitudes toward Negroes and Jews? 3. What is the relationship, if' any, between knowledge of' intergroup relations and divergence of' opinions concerning Negroes? 4. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of' intergroup relations and the indication of definite trends of opinion concerning Jews? 5. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of intergroup relations and definite opinions concerning foreign born? 6. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of intergroup relations and the tendency to stereotype members of certain groups? 7. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of intergroup relations and intelligence? a. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge of intergroup relations and religious values? 9. What is the relationship, if any, between knowledge and intergroup relations and personality adjustment? 10. What is the relationship, if any, between the .factors that are statistically significantly related to knowledge of intergroup relations? 11. What is the effect, if any, of partialed out factors on relationships existing between knowledge of intergroup relations and associated variables? 12. To what extent, if any is the variability of knowledge of intergroup relations affected by eliminating the influence of the variability of certain combinations of variables? 13. To what extent is the total degree of relationship between knowledge of intergroup relations and other variables increased by the addition of another variable? 14. What are the total and relative contributions of the independent variables to knowledge of intergroup relations? Collection of Data.-- A consideration of the methods and tools of collecting data resulted in the selection of seven tests: (1) "An Opinionaire in Intergroup Relations," (2) "What People Are Like," (3) "Experience With Negroes: Community Contacts," (4) "A Test of Knowledge of Intergroup Relations," (5) "A Study of Values, fl ( 6) "New California Short-Form Test of Mental Maturity, Advanced “47 S-Form,”(7) "California Test of Personality – Adult Series. A copy of each of these tests will be found in the Appendix. The first four tests were designed for the College Study in Intergroup Relations. "A Test of Knowledge of Intergroup Relations" was chosen as the basic test. It consists of one hundred questions which relate to five major areas and five types of knowledge. The areas represented a.re race relations, intercreedal problems, immigrant cultures, rural-urban contacts, and socioeconomic (class) differences. The types of knowledge represented are concepts and definitions, present status, history and trends, current problems, and proposed solutions. This test is still in the experimental stage with the reliability and validity not fully established. However, "they are estimated to be good11 and the test is recommended as being "basically sound." "An Opinionaire 'in Intergroup Relations" is a forty-item attitude scale which is made up of four subscales pertaining to reactions toward Jews, Negroes, foreign born, and lower class people. The reliability and validity of this test have been satisfactorily established "for all mass-comparative uses." ''What People Are Liken was used to determine stereotypic tendencies as indicated by responses to fourteen questions concerning nine groups of people. These groups are: graduate students, Jews, Negroes, Catholics, Protestants, Mexicans, Polish, lower class, and rural dwellers. Like the basic test, this test is also in an experimental stage, but it is thought to be basically sound." “ Experiences With Negroes: Community Contacts" is an experience inventory consisting of twenty-six items which relate to various contacts with Negroes in the community. The reliability and validity of this test have been satisfactorily established for college classes. The "New California Short-Form Test of Mental Maturity and the "California Test of' Personality” are both recognized as reliable and valid in their particular fields. The reliability and validity for religious values in "A Study of Values" a.re necessary. In addition to the tests each student was asked to fill out a "Personal Data. Sheet, designed by the College Study in Intergroup Relations, for the purpose of understanding the subjects better. A copy of this sheet is in the Appendix. It gives information about the age, sex, birthplace, religious preference, occupational goal, major field, and other facts which would a.id in understanding something of the background of the subjects. Each student was assigned a number to be used on the "Personal Data Sheet" and all the tests in lieu of their names. It was felt that this would eliminate some of the reticence which might accompany the answers to some of the questions. Sixty students were selected at random from a list of graduate students enrolled in the School of Education of Atlanta University. These students were contacted by mail and asked to be subjects for the study. Fifty-one responded and took all the tests required. Of this number thirty--two were in-service teachers taking part-time work in the university, one a secretary taking part-time work, and eighteen were full-time students. The group included thirty women and twenty-one men ranging in age from twenty-two to sixty-three. The mean age was 3~.53 and the median age 30.88. The birthplaces of these subjects include eleven states in the United States, among which were Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida., Virginia, Mississippi, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, and Ohio, and one province in Canada - Ontario. The religious preferences of the group numbered forty-seven Protestants, three Catholics and one agnostic. Other information concerning the subjects is summarized in the Appendix. The tests were administered over a. period of one month. Two groups assemblies were held, the first on November 23 at which time three tests were given and the "Personal Data Sheets" filled out, the second on December 3 at which time the last four tests were administered. The tests had to be administered to some individually because of inability to meet with the group. In all cases the directions for taking the tests were read by the examiner and the directions as given in the manuals were followed. All tests were scored by the writer and statistical techniques were employed to interpret the results.

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Educational Psychology / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Under flyktingkrisen 2015 hårdnade debatten kring flyktingmigration och de främlingsfientliga rösterna höjdes. Som ett resultat av den mediala uppmärksamheten kring flyktingkrisen anses nu invandrings- och integrationsfrågan vara den överlägset viktigaste samhällsfrågan i Sverige. Forskning kring främlingsfientlighet har i stor utsträckning genomförts ur majoritetsbefolkningens perspektiv, i denna studie ligger fokus istället på personer med utländsk bakgrund och deras erfarenheter av främlingsfientliga attityder. Genom en kvalitativ metod där åtta semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts har denna studie undersökt hur personer med utländsk bakgrund upplever främlingsfientlighet och dess orsaker i relation till medierapportering kring invandring och flyktingfrågor. Resultatet har analyserats med hjälp av Intergroup threat theory, Cultivation theory och stereotypisering och visar att främlingsfientlighet existerar mellan majoritets- och minoritetsgrupper men även inom minoritetsgrupper. De upplevelser som identifieras är huvudsakligen vardagliga händelser och dess orsaker grundar sig på samhälleliga problem, kulturskillnader och stereotyper. Enligt respondenterna framställer media personer med utländsk bakgrund och flyktingar övervägande negativt och påverkar därmed attityder och främlingsfientliga åsikter i det svenska samhället. Ett resultat av detta menar respondenterna är att Sverige har blivit mer främlingsfientligt på grund av den mediala rapporteringen kring flyktingkrisen.

Kantian theories of morality focus on the universal application of moral rules. However, both children and adults often apply different moral standards to in-group and out-group members. Psychologists have proposed that this group bias in moral judgments may be explained by “social essentialism”, a tendency to conceive of social groups as natural kinds. This dissertation uses a cross-cultural, developmental approach to test this hypothesis by investigating a) how the essentialization of five social groups changes with age and b) whether the differences in essentialization explain children’s moral judgments in inter-group contexts. In Study 1, I tested the degree of essentialization of five social categories (Gender, Nationality, Religion, Socioeconomic Status (SES), and Teams) in 5-10 year olds (N=147) and adults (N=223) in Turkey and the U.S. I hypothesized three possible patterns of results indicating different mechanisms underlying essentialization: 1) essentialization is a strong basic bias invariant across ages, cultures and categories; 2) essentialization varies by category across culture based on historical group conflicts; and 3) essentialization is over-generalized for pseudo-biological categories (Gender, Nationality) and declines with age for other categories in both cultures. I found strong support for the third mechanism and striking similarities in the developmental patterns by category across cultures. Study 2 examined the hypothesized link between children’s social essentialist bias and moral judgments in the US (N=211). I predicted that for highly essentialized categories from Study 1 (i.e., Gender), children would believe that it is more acceptable to harm the out-group than the in-group. There were no systematic differences between in-group and out-group judgments and no relationship with essentialization, however. These null results suggest that children are more Kantian than recent work on social groups proposes. Essentialism did, however, affect moral reasoning in inter-group contexts in more indirect ways, when accompanied by other social phenomena, such as salient discrimination. Combined, these studies make two contributions to the field. First, essentialist beliefs in the social domain are triggered cross-culturally by a biological representation of some categories. Second, children are not generally sensitive to group membership in their explicit judgments of moral transgressions in third-party scenarios.

Based on social identity theory, self-categorization theory, and justice theories, this study proposed a theoretical framework for studying the psychological processes that employees go through during the period of post-merger implementation. Specifically, this study investigated: (a) the effects of HR practices on employees' intergroup cognition and perceived fairness; and (b) the antecedents and consequences of intergroup cognition (e.g., "us" versus "them" cognition) during post-merger implementation. In addition, I examined the mediating role of intergroup cognition in the psychological process. In Study One, a scenario-based experiment with MBA students, I found that more favorable HR practices after a merger led to a significantly higher level of distributive justice than less favorable post-merger HR practices. Furthermore, more favorable HR practices after a merger led to a significantly lower level of intergroup cognition than less favorable post-merger HR practices. In addition, equally favorable HR practices between the members of two groups in the merged company led to both a significantly higher level of distributive justice and a significantly lower level of intergroup cognition than HR practices that were less or more favorable as compared to those of the other group. In Study Two, a field survey with incumbents, I found that the level of perceived fairness was negatively related to the level of intergroup cognition. In addition, the level of perceived cultural differences was positively related to the level of intergroup cognition. Also, their effects on organizational commitment, resistance to change, and turnover intention during post-merger implementation were mediated by intergroup cognition.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 95-101). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR39013

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.