Intergroup relations: the level, content, and dynamics of cooperation and conflict between groups

Ellemers N.; Scheepers D. (2025)

Part of book or chapter of book

Cooperation between individuals and representatives of different groups has been identified as a key factor in the evolution of most species. In this context, humans stand out because of the broad range, geographical distance, and wide scale at which such cooperation is sustained, even across group boundaries (Apicella & Silk, 2019; Fehr & Schurtenberger, 2018; Melis & Semmann, 2010). Institutional provisions that support cooperation between groups by formalizing social norms and regulating their enforcement are general pre-conditions for social development. Indeed, organizing cooperation between members of different groups is indispensable for individuals to survive and thrive in modern day societies. Groups need to coordinate their efforts, for instance to control and combat pandemic diseases or to secure access to key resources, such as water, food, or energy sources. Additionally, cooperation and exchanges of knowledge and goods across different cultures, nations, and professional groups help to develop new technologies that mitigate and adapt to climate change, to cope with the challenges of migration, or to secure physical well-being and economic prosperity over time (e.g., De Dreu et al., 2023; Rand & Nowak, 2013; Zelenski et al., 2015). For this reason, the emergence of conflictual versus cooperative relations between groups in society is a key issue of political and scholarly interest (Fiske, 2002). A broad range of scholars in the social sciences and humanities—ranging from philosophers, legal scholars, and political scientists, to anthropologists, sociologists, and psychologists—all highlight the relevance and far-reaching implications of understanding intergroup relations. 

This chapter provides an overview of intergroup relations from a social psychological perspective, highlighting the psychology of ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Three features of intergroup relations will guide the presentation of the wealth of knowledge on this topic: The level of explanation, the content, and the dynamics of intergroup relations. 

• All authors: Ellemers N.; Scheepers D.
• Editor(s): Gilbert, D.T.; Fiske S.T.; Finkel, E.J.; Mendes W.B.
• Date: 2025-05-19
• Title of host publication: The handbook of social psychology
• Edition: 6th edition
• DOI: doi:10.70400/MVRG3326
• Link: https://openpublishing.princeton.edu/read/intergroup-relations-the-level...