Group processes are often dependent upon a group's entitativity. This term refers to the group's unity and cooperation in terms of various factors. These factors are connected to the variety of reasons why group members would choose to belong to a certain group. Furthermore, the nature of some groups offer a greater degree of choice than others. A group of students in a classroom are for example in that group as a result of their choice of study direction rather than the other persons in the group. Group members may also choose a group because of its specific moral or psychological focus, such as Christian prayer groups.
Factors such as proximity, similarity, interdependence and ongoing interaction then encourages group processes that result in group cohesion. In some groups, this can be potentially dangerous in terms of perceived volition. In these terms, certain groups may be perceived by outsiders as a single entity harboring hostile intent. This may lead to conflict that could have been avoided by critical thinking and communication.
A study by Turner, Hewstone and Voci (2007) suggests that this hostility might be mitigated by cross-group friendship. The study was performed on groups of White and South Asian students, and showed that cross-group friendships provided a platform for reducing out-group prejudice and perceived hostility among these groups.
A study by McGregor, Haji and Kang (2008) also reveal that in-group individuals who display a high Personal Need for Structure (PNS) tend to be inclined towards out-group derogation and hostility. The authors found that lowering PNS also lowers this inclination. Interestingly, this is not done by means of focusing upon the out-group, but rather upon in-group dynamics. This indicates that a positive in-group focus and stability lies at the root of the problem, rather than the perception of out-group hostility or the need to display such hostility towards out groups.
References
McGregor, Ian, Hagi, Reeshma and Kan, So-Jin. (2008). Can in-group affirmation relieve out-group derogation? Journal of Experimental Psychology. Vol. 44, pp. 1395 -- 1401
Turner, Rhiannon N., Hewstone, Miles, and Voci, Alberto (2007, Sep). Reducing explicit and implicit out-group prejudice via direct and extended contact: The mediating role of self-disclosure and intergroup anxiety. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Vol 93(3), pp. 369-388.
