Proposition Given by Allport About Prejudice

 in detail the proposition given by Allport about prejudice that identification with all humankind can significantly reduce negative prejudice.

Raymond Cattell differ in their approaches to researching personality, with Allport using the idiographic approach and Cattell using the nomothetic approach.

• Discuss this proposition.
• Provide evidences that support and negate this proposition?

Allport’s Proposition on Prejudice and Identification with All Humankind

Gordon Allport, a prominent psychologist, proposed that identification with all humankind can significantly reduce negative prejudice. He suggested that when individuals see themselves as part of a larger human community, they are less likely to harbor negative biases against other groups. This concept is rooted in his broader theories of personality and social behavior, emphasizing the importance of social connections and understanding in overcoming prejudice.

Evidence Supporting Allport’s Proposition

1. Contact Hypothesis: Allport’s contact hypothesis suggests that under appropriate conditions, interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between majority and minority group members. This hypothesis has been supported by numerous studies showing that increased interaction between groups can lead to greater understanding and reduced bias.
2. Empathy and Perspective-Taking: Research has shown that when people engage in empathy and perspective-taking, they are more likely to view others as part of a common humanity. For instance, a study by Batson et al. (1997) found that empathy induced by perspective-taking can reduce prejudice and lead to more positive attitudes towards stigmatized groups.
3. Global Identity: Studies on global identity support Allport’s idea. People who identify strongly with a global community tend to have more inclusive attitudes. For example, McFarland et al. (2013) found that individuals with a global human identification showed greater compassion and less prejudice towards out-group members.

Evidence Against Allport’s Proposition

1. Ingroup Favoritism: Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory suggests that identification with any group, including a global human group, can still lead to ingroup favoritism and outgroup discrimination. This implies that while identification with all humankind might reduce some biases, it might also create new forms of ingroup-outgroup dynamics.
2. Complexity of Prejudice: Prejudice is multifaceted and influenced by various social, economic, and psychological factors. Simply identifying with all humankind may not be sufficient to overcome deep-seated biases that are reinforced by cultural norms, media, and personal experiences. Pettigrew (1998) argues that while Allport’s contact hypothesis is a step towards reducing prejudice, it requires supportive social conditions and institutional backing to be effective.
3. Resistance to Change: People often resist changing their prejudices due to cognitive dissonance and the need to maintain a consistent worldview. Gaertner and Dovidio (2005) found that individuals might superficially endorse a global identity while still holding onto their prejudices, indicating that identification alone may not be enough to foster genuine acceptance and understanding.

Differing Approaches to Researching Personality: Allport vs. Cattell

Allport and Raymond Cattell had fundamentally different approaches to researching personality, which can be seen in their methods and theoretical foundations.

Allport’s Idiographic Approach

1. Focus on the Individual: Allport emphasized the uniqueness of the individual and believed that in-depth case studies and qualitative methods were essential to understanding personality. He argued that personality is too complex to be captured by broad generalizations.
2. Qualitative Methods: Allport favored methods such as interviews, personal documents, and diaries, which allow for a deeper exploration of individual experiences and traits. This approach helps in understanding the personal and subjective aspects of personality.
3. Central Traits: He proposed the concept of central traits, which are core characteristics that define an individual’s personality. By focusing on these traits, Allport aimed to capture the essence of a person’s identity.

Cattell’s Nomothetic Approach

1. Focus on General Laws: Cattell’s nomothetic approach aimed to identify general laws of personality that apply across individuals. He believed in the use of quantitative methods to uncover the structure of personality.
2. Factor Analysis: Cattell is well-known for his use of factor analysis to identify underlying personality traits. He developed the 16 Personality Factor (16PF) model, which aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of human personality based on statistical analysis.
3. Objective Measurement: Cattell emphasized the importance of objective measurement and empirical research. He believed that personality could be quantified and studied scientifically through large-scale studies and standardized tests.

Discussion of the Proposition

The proposition that identification with all humankind can reduce prejudice aligns with Allport’s humanistic and inclusive view of psychology. His idiographic approach underscores the importance of understanding individual experiences and fostering empathy on a personal level. In contrast, Cattell’s nomothetic approach provides a framework for understanding the broader patterns of personality that can inform strategies to reduce prejudice on a societal level.

While evidence supports Allport’s idea that global identification can mitigate prejudice, it is also clear that the process is complex and multifaceted. The interplay between personal experiences, social identity, and broader societal influences must be considered. Both Allport’s and Cattell’s approaches offer valuable insights into how personality and prejudice can be studied and understood, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to addressing these enduring social issues.

References

• Batson, C. D., et al. (1997). Empathy and attitudes: Can feeling for a member of a stigmatized group improve feelings toward the group?. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 72(1), 105-118.
• Gaertner, S. L., & Dovidio, J. F. (2005). Understanding and addressing contemporary racism: From aversive racism to the common ingroup identity model. Journal of Social Issues, 61(3), 615-639.
• McFarland, S., Webb, M., & Brown, D. (2013). Identification with all humanity as a moral concept and psychological construct. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(3), 194-198.
• Pettigrew, T. F. (1998). Intergroup contact theory. Annual Review of Psychology, 49(1), 65-85.
• Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). An integrative theory of intergroup conflict. In The Social Psychology of Intergroup Relations (pp. 33-47). Brooks/Cole.