ABSTRACT
The forms of aggression discussed in the previous chapters were manifestations of interpersonal aggression involving confrontations between individuals. In the present chapter, we turn to intergroup aggression originating in the context of encounters between social groups (Goldstein, 2002). Groups may become involved in violent conÀ ict because they compete for resources, such as power or material pro¿ t, that only one party can obtain. However, even in the absence of such conÀ icts of interest, the mere categorisation of people into groups may produce feelings of intergroup hostility resulting from the desire to promote a positive view of their own group. Intergroup aggression can be both hostile (e.g., letting off steam after the defeat of one’s favoured sports team) and instrumental (e.g., attacks by political activists to achieve a particular objective).
