In psychology, the name Gärtner primarily refers to Herbert Gärtner, a German psychologist known for his work in group dynamics and social psychology, particularly regarding intergroup relations and conflict resolution.
His most notable contribution is related to the Common Ingroup Identity Model (often associated with Samuel Gaertner, but Herbert Gärtner's work is also foundational here).
Key Concepts Associated with Herbert Gärtner's Work:
-
Common Ingroup Identity Model:
-
Core Idea: This model proposes that intergroup conflict and bias can be reduced by transforming members' perceptions of group boundaries from two separate groups ("us" and "them") to one more inclusive group ("we").
-
Mechanism: When individuals from different groups perceive themselves as sharing a common superordinate identity, their attitudes towards former outgroup members become more positive, similar to how they view fellow ingroup members.
-
Example: If two rival sports teams come together to represent their city in a national competition, they might adopt a common city identity, reducing previous rivalries.
-
-
Intergroup Relations: Gärtner's work extensively explored how groups interact, the psychological processes underlying prejudice, discrimination, and cooperation between different social groups.
-
Conflict Resolution: His research often focused on practical strategies to improve relations between groups, making his work highly relevant to fields like peace studies, organizational psychology, and community interventions.
Distinguishing from Samuel Gaertner:
It's worth noting that the "Common Ingroup Identity Model" is very strongly associated with Samuel L. Gaertner (often cited as the primary developer), particularly in American social psychology literature. Herbert Gärtner, working in Germany, contributed significantly to similar concepts and research in European psychology, and their work often overlaps and reinforces each other's findings on the benefits of superordinate identity. When encountering "Gaertner" in the context of intergroup relations, it's usually referring to either Samuel L. Gaertner or the broader body of work in this area, which includes Herbert Gärtner's contributions.
In summary, Herbert Gärtner is a significant figure in social psychology, particularly for his contributions to understanding how a shared identity can mitigate intergroup conflict.