Reflections on prejudice and intergroup relations

Intergroup relations examine how people of different backgrounds and groups interact with one another. Intergroup encounters can range from highly positive (e.g., friendships) to extremely negative (e.g., genocides) so the charge of intergroup relations is to illuminate the social psychological processes that influence such encounters. The present review highlights four themes: (1) intergroup prejudice as ingroup love versus outgroup hate; (2) contemporary forms of intergroup prejudice; (3) how contact between groups may reduce intergroup prejudice; and (4) how material concerns (e.g., distribution of resources) and psychological processes (e.g., group identification) further influence intergroup relations. The review concludes with thoughts on the state of intergroup relations research and its relevance to contemporary society.