The Social Psychology and Neurobiology of Intergroup Conflict

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief description on the social psychology and neurobiology of intergroup conflict. How does the formation of prominent group identities impact conflict between groups and perhaps ultimately lead to phenomena such as Islamophobia? The chapter reviews some of the social psychological theories about group formation, focusing particularly on the formulation of contentious and exclusive 'ingroups' and 'outgroups.' It explores some of the factors that make these groups particularly strong and therefore more likely to come into conflict with one another. Then it looks at the evidence from both social psychology and sociology regarding reducing intergroup conflict. The chapter then moves to an investigation of some cutting-edge neuroscience research that helps explain how groups are formed, strengthened, and reinforced as well as what works to reverse bias and conflict. Most of the research cited in this chapter deals with intergroup conflict across racial lines. The authors do of course recognize that Islam is a religion and not a race and as such is comprised of different types of people from around the globe of many different races. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)