The relation between disadvantaged groups: a social psychological approach

Abstract

This study examined how members of a disadvantaged group would relate to a disadvantaged outgroup as well as to an advantaged outgroup. An experiment was conducted in which disadvantaged subjects were exposed to a disadvantaged outgroup varying in position and to an advantaged outgroup always high in position, and then subjects were given a chance to aggress against either the disadvantaged outgroup or the advantaged outgroup. Results supported hypotheses derived from social identity theory that the disadvantaged outgroup would be the target of greatest aggression when their position was the same as or higher than the subject's ingroup. Conversely, the advantaged outgroup was aggressed against the most when the disadvantaged outgroup was in a low position. Results also supported the hypothesis that greatest homogeneity would be perceived in threatening outgroups. These findings are discussed in terms of the implications for improving the relations between disadvantaged groups.