Intense intergroup conflict overrides interpersonal friendships between opponents

Evidence

Some of the theoretical issues concerning this continuum are discussed by Turner (1982, 1984), Brown & Turner (1981), and Stephenson (1981); the main empirical questions concern the conditions that determine the adoption of forms of social behavior nearing one or the other extreme. The first—and obvious—answer concerns intergroup conflict. It can be assumed, in accordance with our common experience, that the more intense is an intergroup conflict, the more likely it is that the individuals who are members of the opposite groups will behave toward each other as a function of their respective group memberships, rather than in terms of their individual characteristics or interindividual relationships. This was precisely why Sherif (1967, for example) was able to abolish so easily the interindividual friendships formed in the preliminary stages of some of his field studies when, subsequently, the individuals who had become friends were assigned to opposing groups. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2677

Categorization

• XREF: Plausibly connects to later chapters on contact hypothesis - this passage frames the obstacle contact interventions must overcome. — connects to: Cross-ethnic friendships formed during fight training persist beyond the gym into fighters’ daily lives — Amit Singh, “Carnal conviviality” and the end of…, 56; Racially inflected banter can coexist with genuine interracial friendship — Amit Singh, “Carnal conviviality” and the end of…, 70; Cross-group friendship is the most effective intergroup contact form for reconciliation. — Miles Hewstone and Joanne Hughes, Reconciliation in Northern Ireland: the…, 5 (+5 more)