Reducing intergroup conflict

Abstract

Basically intergroup conflict involves conflict involves of interests with competing group. This t paper outlines the causes of inter group conflict that have been rampant in a detention center for delinquent adolescent boys many of whom have been involved in local gangs. It aims to expound on several measures that can be used to end this conflict based on argument from other people works and in this case Miles Hewstone’s study intergroup relation (Pettigrew, T. F. (2009).

Intergroup conflict basically involves conflict or rather collision of interests within competing groups. This is a phenomenon that is inevitable because people will always have conflicting or rather have ideas that are different from other people surrounding them. Therefore we should always be ready to resolve these conflicts whenever and wherever they arise. This can be done by applying the conventionally known methods or rather proven methods. However there is also a room to experiment on owns method since not every method can work for every situation based on the fact that every intergroup conflict situation is caused by a different concept, hence inter group conflicts are always different. (Rogers, C. A., & Frantz, C. 2006 However before coming up with any method to reduce or even manage conflict between groups it is good to first identify the course of the conflict

In this case, several concepts are identifiable in this detention cent that is meant for delinquent adolescence boys. To start with, prejudice plays a major role in the propagating intergroup conflict. Prejudice is said to be an attitude (usually negative) towards the members of a certain group solely based on the individual’s membership to a social group. For example different groups of boys may hold prejudice views towards a certain group due to race. Stereotyping has also played a role in intergroup conflicts that have been witnessed in this correction centre. It involves situations where there is a generalization of a certain members of a group with a certain “typical” characteristics. For instance stereotypes base on body size or even height. Lastly discrimination has also played a major role in this subject matter. Any behavior or action (usually negative) towards a person or group of persons either on basis on sex, race or any other social class is termed as discrimination. (Lipsey, M. W. 2007 Discrimination due to race forms the main concept on which intergroup conflicts occur.

Resolving conflicts involves a process by which two parties or groups try to find mutually amicable solution which often requires understanding and trust. Findings from Hewstone research concluded that contact with people can help to improve relations between conflicting groups. In his study he looked at Catholics and Protestants in Northerth Ireland where he found out that positive contact was more effective in reducing prejudice which forms a main concept in propagating intergroup conflict among the two groups. However, he noted that this concept was workable if the two groups were aware of the identity of each other. According to his research finding, positive contact is crucial in that, when an individual sees the one they had contact they change their attitudes towards the other person and thus they don’t see them as isolated exception but rather atypical. For example, it affects outcomes such as including group altitude trust and forgiveness by mediating workable processes including reduction of anxiety threat and increased empathy. As such one is able to generalize from the individual to the group. In that way, instead of a person being perceive as a friendly catholic, he/she takes a general perception that Catholics are friendly. Therefore trough positive contact between groups helps to chance the views a group might have on the other group thus there is reduction of conflict.

Presently there are some basic social psychological approaches that provide other approaches that provide other interventions that can be use d to reduce intergroup conflict. However, some of these interventions have proven to be harder or rather not applicacable outside laboratory setting because some are impractical or very indirect. For instance when a group considers the future consequences of their actions they are known to reduce the intergroup competition.

In the current study, my own findings in resolving conflict or reducing of the aggression often involves changing ones immediate perception of the other group and other circumstances that may increase aggression. Therefore resolving conflict can only involve strategies that focus on reconciling the groups concrete goals and ambition. Basically any strategy that encourages cooperation between groups can be used as as a tool in intergroup conflict resolution. For instance negotiation forms a basic tool in conflict resolution. Hence can be used to curb intergroup conflict the different gags that exist between the adolescent boys.

Several programs if created, can help to these boys in the detention centre to help the boys overcome this conflict and learn to work together, respect each other and hence appreciate the differences between them.( Dowden, C., & Andrews. 2009).

This programs include;Mentoring- this involves giving advice to people especially the young in need by using people a person who is caring with the purpose of providing support, friendship, constructive examples and reinforcement. This is important because the youth need nurturing, caring, open and encouraging people in their lives because this is important in their psychological development as youths especially those who are at risk.

Residential treatment center (NRT)- this is a research based approach that has proved to be effective when working with youths that have been challenged.

REFRENCES

Pettigrew, T. F. (2009). Regional differences in anti-Negro prejudice. Journal of abnormal psychology, 59(1), 28.

Rogers, C. A., & Frantz, C. (2006). Racial themes in Southern Rhodesia: the attitudes and behavior of the white population (p. 338). New Haven: Yale University Press.

Lipsey, M. W. (2007). Juvenile delinquency treatment: A meta-analytic inquiry into the variability

of effects. In F. T. Cullen & B. K. Appelgate (Eds.), Offender rehabilitation, effective correctional

intervention. Aldershot, England: Dartmouth.

Dowden, C., & Andrews, D. A. (2009). Effective correctional treatment and violent reoffending; A

metaanalysis. Canadian Journal of Criminology, October, 42(4), 449–467.