ABSTRACT
The study of inequality and conflict between groups has been a major focus of social psychology for more than half a century. Although the central concern has been to develop a full understanding of the psychological process (e.g., stereotypes, prejudice) that underlie and guide discriminatory behavior, one does not have to dig far to find genuine interest in improving “real-world” intergroup relations. In fact, social psychologists like Herb Kelman and Tom Pettigrew have for decades been passionate and articulate voices in efforts to reduce social injustice in contexts as diverse as conflict in the Middle East (e.g., Kelman, 2007) and racial inequality in the United States, South Africa, and Europe (e.g., Pettigrew, 1998). Many others have contributed to this tradition and even a cursory review of the archives of the Journal of Social Issues yields many examples of social psychological perspectives being brought to bear on issues like prejudice reduction, hate crimes, affirmative action, immigration, homelessness and classism, gender inequality, and international conflict, to mention just a few.
