Belonging To A Group

Term Paper # 99626

Psychology
Psychology > Social
Sociology

This paper explores the psychology of group formation.

1,779 words () | 7 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how the group-belonging mentality can quickly override individualism in nearly any social form. The paper presents a review of the Robber's Cave experiment and how it applies to current social theory relating to the behavior of individuals and groups. The paper discusses the intergroup contact theory and shows how groups can cause shifts in individual behavior that have both positive and negative outcomes.

From the Paper:

"Many studies have demonstrated that when an individual becomes part of a group, if the demands of the group are uniformity of action and thought, then the individual tends to suborn itself to that group, even if the rules aren't written, established, or even understood. One landmark study of this kind of behavior shift, of the quick loss of identity and typical behavior patterns to that of the group, was the Robber's Cave Experiment. Performed in the mid 1950's, a group of homogenous 11-year olds were placed in opposing summer camps and observed while their otherwise typical and self-controlling behavior declined into a state of near animalism in terms of aggression and near violence."

Sample of Sources Used:

Harris, J.R. (1999). How to succeed in childhood (analysis of childhood behavior). The Wilson Quarterly, 23:1, p30(8).
Hawkins, R.Z. (July, 2002). Seeing ourselves as primates. Ethics and the Environment 7(2), 60.
Ingram, P. & Inman, C. (Dec 1996). Institutions and intergroup competition. Administrative Science Quarterly, 41(4), 629-690.
Marquart, J.W., Kawucha, S.K. & Trulson, C.R. (April 2006). Gang suppression and institutional control. Corrections Today, 68(2), 26-31.
Pettigrew, T.F. (Annual 1998). Intergroup contact theory. Annual Review of Psychology, 49(3), 65-86.