DISCRIMINATING FROM WITHIN

A classic experiment by Henri Tajfel provides evidence for the conclus ion that the division of a group into subgroups is enough to trigger d iscriminatory behavior, even if there is no reason for such behavior i n terms of the individual's own interest. I don't challenge that concl usion; but I question an implicit assumption which is suggested by the experimental setup and by the language used by Tajfel in describing t he experiment. The assumption is that an initially coherent group will typically experience division as a result of outside influence. A tot ally different picture of the situation and totally different social p olicy recommendations will follow if we believe instead that groups ar e evolving structures, and specifically structures that constantly and autonomously come into conflict with themselves.