Assessment item 2 - Essay
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Value:35%
Due Date:19-Sep-2021
Return Date:13-Oct-2021
Length:2000 words
Group Assessment:No
Submission method options:EASTS (online)
TASK
back to topThis assessment is a 2000 word essay. You are required to describe and explain the role of empathy and the group-based emotion of collective guilt in the prediction of negative attitudes toward Indigenous Australians. In your answer you must compare and contrast two social psychological theories which offer an explanation for this inter-group behaviour.
To describe is to provide characteristics and features. To explain is to provide an explanation of not only how something happens, but why it happens. To compare and contrast is to consider the similarities and differences. Consequently, your answer should include, with reference to the relevant psychological literature on this topic:
- descriptions (including definitions) of empathy, collective guilt, and negative attitudes toward Indigenous Australians,
- the role of empathy and collective guilt in the prediction of negative attitudes toward Indigenous Australians,
- a description of the relevant social psychological theories of intergroup behaviour which offer explanations for the role of empathy and collective guilt in the prediction of negative attitudes,
- consideration of their differences and similarities in explaining this phenomenon, and
- critical analysis of your chosen theories, considering any limitations they may have in their explanatory role.
Background
Empathy is the vicarious experience of another’s perspective and includes feelings of sympathy and compassion (Kassin et al., 2020). Collective guilt is experienced when group members accept that their ingroup is responsible for harmful actions against another group. This guilt is a self-conscious emotion stemming from a person’ collective identity or group association (Branscombe & Doosje, 2004).
Both empathy and collective guilt have been associated with, and are predictive of, negative attitudes towards Indigenous Australians (Pedersen et al., 2004). Several social psychological theories may offer explanations for this association. These include social identity theory, self-categorisation theory, intergroup emotions theory, and social dominance theory. However the extent that they offer explanations may be limited.
Branscombe, N. R., & Doosje, B. (2004). Collective Guilt : International Perspectives. Cambridge University Press.
Kassin, S., Fein, S., Markus, H. R., McBain, K. A., & Williams, L. A. (2020).Social Psychology(2nd ed.): Cengage Learning Australia.
Pedersen, A., Beven, J., Walker, I., & Griffiths, B. (2004). Attitudes toward Indigenous-Australians: The role of empathy and guilt.Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 14, 233-249. doi: 10.1002/casp.771
Required reading
Branscombe, N. R., & Doosje, B. (2004). Collective Guilt : International Perspectives. Cambridge University Press. You can access this e-book through the Leganto reading list.