Intergroup Threat Theory: Minimal Group Paradigm

Intergroup dynamics have been topic of interest to all psychologist. Minimal group paradigm (Tajfel, Billig, Bundy and Flament, 1971) is where intergroup dynamics are put to the test. Tajfel et al. found that in-groups and out-groups can form through the simple categorization or quick placement in randomly developed groups. That is allegiance and preferences, even within groups without distinct attributes/features can form rather quickly. Given that Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines religion is an organised system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods it is thereby unsurprising that religion is a particularly powerful and easily simulated group identity. It must also be noted that Intergroup Threat Theory

Previous scholarly research have found that intergroup threat has a major effect on social attitudes and behaviors. Perceived threat promotes negative attitudes toward out-group members (Riek, Mania, Gaertner, 2006; Stephan, Renfro). For instance, American students perceived that immigrants posed a threat to both their morals and beliefs (symbolic threats) and their economic, and physical well-being (realistic threats), they responded with negative affect which included resentment, dislike and rejection (Stephan, et al.,

These attacks were predominantly directed towards Muslim towns and places of worship. This report shows evidence of Hindus prejudice toward Muslims. These religious hate crimes particularly towards Muslims highlight the in-group versus out-group phenomena found in Social Identity Theory. It should be noted that all religious crimes are not against Muslims as Muslims are also prejudiced to other religions. Spencer (2007) looked at this issue by focusing on Christians who live in Muslim societies, such as Northern Egypt. Christians are subject to pay special taxes, been threatened with kidnapped and death if headscarves were not worn and in some cases forced to pay protection money. Furthermore, Muslims prevent Christians from building or fixing churches while burning down existing ones. Spencer mentions that almost half of the Christians living in Iraq have