Research Paper on:
Article Analysis, Social Psychology of Identity

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
scholars in describing and addressing the intricacies of conflict resolution. In their introduction, the authors also offer an operational definition that is essential to understanding their review. They explain that  the term "Track Two diplomacy" refers to an "unofficial peace building process" that involves a third party bringing together "representatives from communities in conflict" in order to address the root  causes underlying the conflict and bring about positive resolution (Cuhadar and Dayton, 2011, p. 273). The purpose of the review is to provide an overview of the principal contributions made  by social psychology to the study of inter-group conflict, identify gaps between theory and practice and then, based on the review of literature, offer policy recommendations that will help achieve  the goal of narrowing the identified gaps (Cuhadar and Dayton, 2011). Rather than using a sample group, as such, the authors draw upon their considerable experience in the field of  Track Two diplomacy, as well as their extensive review of literature. Methodology Cuhadar and Dayton begin by offering a broad overview of the social psychology theories that have shaped Track  Two diplomacy. Citing scholarship, they explain that social identity theory is based on the premise that the human ability to recognize patterns is a cognitive skill necessary for survival. This  innate tendency is the root cause for the formation of in-groups, people similar to us, and out-groups, people who are not similar to us, within a society (Cuhadar and Dayton,  2011). This leads into a highly nuanced and detailed discussion that includes criticism leveled at social identity theory. This overview provides readers with a basic understanding of what prejudice is,  how it is formed and the processes that can be used to change it. The next section of the paper identifies three areas of Track Two practice that have