Discrimination and Prejudice Inter Group Conflict

Inter-Group Conflict, Prejudice, and Discrimination

Introduction

Discrimination among groups in the United States cuts across different spheres such as race, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, gender, and political dispositions. However, some are impacted more by these conflicts than others. According to Daniller (2021), most Americans are convinced that Black, Asian and Hispanic people are discriminated against. Eighty percent of Americans believe Black people are discriminated against, 70 percent see it against the Asian, and 76 percent against the Hispanic. This discrimination exists in political, medical, education, and even social environments. Daniller 2021 adds that Republicans and Democrats also share similar sentiments that the degree of discrimination and intergroup conflicts is high in the United States. These revelations guide the themes in this paper about how intergroup conflicts, discrimination, and prejudice in the United States should be addressed. The paper examines these conflicts and shares multiple approaches to address the challenges by exploring various theories by psychologists.

Analysis

When a group views another as an outgroup, they feel separated. According to Page-Gould et al. (2008, p. 1080), there is intense anxiety between groups who hold or express varying opinions or cultures. This exists because people fail to understand people's uniqueness and, as a result, react to these differences. In response, the authors explain the significance of cross-group friendship in minimizing anxiety prevalent in intergroup. They argue that there is no doubt that relationships between varying social groups often characterize anxiety. Still, when these diverse groups engage in cross-group friendship, statistics indicate improved attitudes, which translate to better intergroup contact. For instance, according to longitudinal research described by the authors, students in colleges and those who exhibit intergroup differences depicted a significant attenuation in their anxiety levels towards the end of their college life. For racial groups, appreciating cultural differences in the United States means reducing the potential hatred and discrimination among them.

Some of the racial groupings in the United States are informed by historical elements that propagate the theme that immigrants and perceived outgroups have affected the lives of the natives, and only a political change can guarantee them restoration hence nostalgia. This assertion is evident in the discussion by Behler. According to Behler et al. (2021), nostalgia among the American society is closely linked to self-continuity and connectedness and is often associated with inter and intrapersonal benefits. However, it challenges how intergroup interactions are created, exposes population differences, and influences political attitudes. Statistics during the 2016 elections involving 252 participants indicated that nostalgia profiles attitudes and emotions. High nostalgia was associated with admiration for President Trump and prejudice. These effects were mediated by assumed threats emanating from outgroups.

Interestingly, the above research indicated that most voters inclined to President Obama supported Trump despite the racial rhetoric primarily because of a desire for past experiences. The authors argue that the slogan "Make America Great Again" was fueled by racialism, prejudice, and discrimination, and the Whites found it an ideal moment to restore what had been lost. The effect was so intense that survey research revealed that many voters were still willing to support Trump despite possible economic threats. These divisions were both racial and political, and Behler et al. (2021) note that while the political differences between Republicans and Democrats contribute to divisions, the political ideologies by Trump that encompassed racialized sentiments united groups who believed racial integration had affected their lives. The effect was intensified inter-group conflicts, discrimination, and prejudice.

Dovidio et al. (2017, pp. 2-3) explain the four prerequisites essential in minimizing intergroup conflict and achieving harmony among intergroup. Intergroup cooperation should be during social contact, establishing common goals, and legal support. Intergroup cooperation unites different groups by cooperating in meeting a common objective. For example, the Republicans can cooperate with the Democrats to support Bills that work toward the common good of the citizens. There should also be fair legal structures that support the ideologies of intergroup. Dovidio et al. also indicate that most of the divisions can be addressed through social contact theories. Thus, according to self-categorization theory and intergroup model, conflicts exist across intergroup based on how people are categorized, affecting social contact. For instance, people are clustered by their ethnicity, social groups, political differences, and even culture (Paolini et al., 2010). These contacts vary, and as Dovidio et al. explain, they can be extended, vicarious, imagined, or virtual contacts implying that the intergroup differences do not uniquely exist where people interact physically. Racialization and discrimination can exist in online interactions where a particular group is separated.

But how can these conflicts be mediated? Dovidio et al. (2017, p. 4) explain that affective initiatives play a principal role in reducing divisions. More specifically, through increasing empathy and reducing anxiety among groups that share varying beliefs and values. It means changing perceptions among Americans and embracing a positive attitude toward opposing groups. The implication is developing a different interpersonal relationship with those considered outgroup members. When an intergroup relationship is enhanced, social categorization is affected in two ways, first through recategorization and second through decategorization. People become less salient through decategorization and recategorization, leading to shared goals and changing how groups are represented.

Dovidio et al. present a disturbing case of intergroup conflict in the health sector, for instance, cases where a patient is from the minority group and a medical practitioner from the majority. In such contexts, it is essential to deploy methods to improve interactions. The same applies in the academic environment where some medical students are discriminated against during training. This has significant effects on the quality of health and overall affects the well-being of United States citizens (p. 9). These stereotypic tendencies lead to division in the medical environment. Besides, political polarization is fueled by numerous issues, and the conflict intensifies when groups oppose policies and ideas emanating from outgroups. Social psychologists appreciate that these tendencies are not a new concept. However, there are solutions to these conflicts, and this begins by initiating intergroup contact. Contact hypothesis encompasses understanding each other as a prejudice reduction method. However, it is essential to note that social contact has associated risks. When poorly done, it can escalate intergroup differences. It requires genuine sharing of ideas such as political ideologies between diplomats and democrats. This requires initiating citizen assemblies where the views of intergroup citizens are represented to attain political deliberation and establish a common ground of unity.

Social contacts enable individuals to appreciate other people's perspectives. For example, the opinions of American transgender minorities can be understood through these contacts and help people shift their attitudes. This is a psychological intervention. These effects are more pronounced in contemporary society due to the technological revolution that has simplified sharing of opinions through social media. Mccammon (2019) explains the controversial debates about gay rights and the entire LGBTQ group. These have an emotional connection and heightened potential to escalate the intergroup conflict between straight and transgender people, increasing polarization in the United States. It is essential to address the psychological attitudes during voting and how they lead to increased polarization in the political scenes. In the United States, the dominance of two political parties means that political differences are highly felt during voting. Losers rarely get proportionate representation. To reduce this political conflict, voting should be based on policies, not parties, reducing identity differences.