Two student organizations at Pitt are bitter rivals. They are often passive aggressive or actively hostile towards one another. Which of the following is the best way to reduce this animosity?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Consider the scenario where two rival student organizations at Pitt are frequently hostile or passive-aggressive toward each other. The goal is to reduce animosity and foster cooperation rather than punishment or separation.
Option 1: Have the groups jointly fundraise for Pitt's Day of Giving with a shared goal of $10,000. This approach creates a concrete, shared objective that requires collaboration, negotiation, and mutual reliance. By working toward a common good for the campus, members must communicate effectively, share responsibilities, and see the other group as a partner rather than an adversary. Such collaborative tasks can build positive intergroup contact and reduce hostility over time.
Option 2: Punish acts of hostility by banning the organizations. While discipline might deter overt aggression in the short term, it does not address underlying causes of conflict (competition, stereotypes, lack of trust). Banning can entrench grievances, reduce opportunities for constructive interaction, and may foster cynicism or fear rather than reconciliation. It’s a punitive measure rather than a problem-solving one.
Option 3: Have the groups engage in a competitive sport. Although shared activities can promote bonding, competition between rival groups may exacerbate competition and rivalry if not carefully framed. If the sport becomes a battleground for pride, it could intensify tensions rather than reduce them unless there are structured rules that emphasize teamwork and neutral framing. This option risks turning cooperation into another arena for rivalry.
Option 4: Make sure they never interact. Isolation eliminates opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and relationship-building. Without contact, miscommunications and stereotypes are likely to persist or worsen. This approach directly contradicts the goal of reducing animosity and can lead to a frozen conflict rather than resolution.
In sum, option 1 directly targets collaborative engagement and shared purpose, which are well-supported strategies for reducing intergroup hostility, whereas the other options rely on avoidance, punishment, or competition in contexts that can sustain or worsen tension. The most constructive path appears to be the cooperative fundraising task, given its potential to foster communication, trust, and a sense of mutual achievement.

2261 PSY 0105 SEC1000 Final Exam- Requires Respondus LockDown Browser

Two student organizations at Pitt are bitter rivals. They are often passive aggressive or actively hostile towards one another. Which of the following is the best way to reduce this animosity?

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