Research on intergroup relations involves the study of two main topics: (1) social behaviors and processes such as conflict, cooperation, discrimination, inclusion, and exclusion, and (2) cognitions such as stereotyping and attitude formation. Understanding intergroup relations can reveal how biases, stereotypes, and group conflicts arise as well as how they can be reduced. This is important to ethnic minority psychology because disagreement, distancing, and aggression frequently occur between different ethnic groups. Applying our understanding of group relations and processes can help to foster social harmony and reduce racism and ethnocentrism.

Definitions

The term intergroup relations refers to conflicts and connections between two groups, whereas intragroup relations refers to conflicts and connections among people of the same social identity group. A person is considered part of an ...

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