Outline and evaluate two explanations for group display

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Outline and evaluate two explanations for group display-

There is a widespread belief that people act differently when in groups compared to how they behave as individuals. For example people in groups may sometimes behave more antisocially but become more cooperative and selfless in the presence of other group members.

Lynch mobs are a group of people, without legal authority, kill a person for some assumed offence. History tells us that there were 2000 victims of lynch mobs killed in 10 US states in the years 1882 and 1930. The vast majority of victims were African-American males. Among the evolutionary explanations offered for behaviour in lynch mobs i have chosen to focus on the power threat hypothesis, and dehumanizing of the victim.

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The power threat hypothesis by Blalock (1967) suggests that as minority group membership grows, majority group members will intensify their efforts to remain dominance. For example among the other reasons for Black lynching’s are: ‘trying to vote’ and ‘voting for the wrong party’. The fear of ‘Negro’ power meant that white mobs frequently turned lynch laws as a means of social control. However, this hypothesis does not explain any other factors, as it solely believes that lynchings are done to remain dominance.

Dehumanization of the victim by Hyatt (1999) argues that the hysterical dissection of the Black body ...

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