Lam Pak Kan, Spencer UID: 3035056541

Thought Paper 2 Psy 2020

Hong Kong-Mainland conflict

In 2013, various conflicts have arisen between Hong Kongers and Mainlanders. Hong Kongers
complain that Mainlanders adversely affect their daily life as they compete for various
resources. Prejudice, therefore, is formed towards Mainlanders. Prejudice refers to the
negative evaluation of a group based on real or imagined characteristics of group members
which may lead to discrimination, the negative behavior towards a group of people (Nelson,
2002). This paper first aims to explain why Hong Kong people hold prejudice towards
Mainlanders. It then demonstrates how social identity theory can be applied in this issue.
1. Realistic Group Conflict Theory
The keen competition for scarce resources leads to the formation of prejudice towards
Mainlanders. According to the realistic group conflict theory, prejudice is formed when two or
more groups compete for scarce resources including life chances, money, political power and
social status (Jackson, 1993). The results of the Robbers Cave Study support this theory. When
22 boys went to a camp and were divided into groups based on their similarities in in-group
formation stage, there was not any prejudice towards out-groups. However, when they
needed to compete for prize, which was considered as scarce, as only one group could obtain it
in camp games in friction stage, negative evaluations were formed towards other groups
(Sidanius & Pratto, 1999).This theory can explain why Hong Kong people have prejudice
towards Mainlanders in several aspects as illustrated below:
1.1 Competition for Kindergarten Places
In October, myriads of Hong Kong parents in North District moaned and groaned about the
limited preschool places for their offspring. This is because many Mainland parents applied for
kindergarten places for their children who were born in Hong Kong. Consequently, agitation
was inflicted on local parents as they were afraid that their children could not secure a place to
study. Wu Ho-yin, a local parent, quit his job so as to devote all his time to enrolling his son in
preschool as he perceived Mainlanders as resource-grabbing enemies (Zhao, 2013). When two
groups - Hong Kongers and Mainlanders compete for kindergarten places (scarce education
opportunities), one groups goal fulfillment becomes another groups frustration. In this case,
this can be demonstrated as Chan Pui-sze, a 36-year-old Hong Kong parent, felt puzzled and
rushed to queue up for the application form instantly every time she heard a kindergarten was
open for application (Li, 2013). When Mainland parents fulfill their goal by obtaining
kindergarten places, it will become the frustration of Hong Kong parents, which leads to more
prejudice towards Mainlanders.
1.2 Competition for Hospital Beds among Pregnant Women
There was an influx of pregnant women from Mainland China to give birth in Hong Kong,
resulting in insufficient public hospital beds for local pregnant women. They thought that
Mainlanders competed and occupied their medical resources and social welfare as they
grumbled about the limited number of hospital beds. For example, Maggie Wong, a pregnant
Hong Konger, complained Why do I need to feel desperate when searching for public hospital
beds as I am a lifelong Hong Kong resident and pay taxes every year? If those pregnant

Lam Pak Kan, Spencer UID: 3035056541

Thought Paper 2 Psy 2020

Mainlanders do not come to give birth in Hong Kong, I will be very relieved now (Sharon, 2012).
When the interests of two groups clash due to scarce resource competition (hospital beds),
frustration of Hong Kongers is inflicted, resulting in more prejudice towards Mainlanders.
1.3 Competition for Infant Milk Powder
As a lot of Mainland parents lose faith in local infant milk powder due to its low quality, many of
them came to Hong Kong to purchase infant formula which made a nuisance to parents in Hong
Kong as infant milk powder was always sold out. They complained about the constant shortage
of milk powder and blamed Mainlanders for this as they purchased it in bulk. Competition of
milk powder (scarce resource) is another source of frustration which leads to prejudice and
even hostility. Thus, Hong Kong people hold a more prejudiced attitude towards Mainlanders.
As Mainlanders are perceived as resource-grasping enemies who compete for scarce resources
with Hong Kongers in preschool places, hospital beds and even infant milk powder, prejudice is
formed towards Mainlanders. Apart from this, social identity theory can be applied in Hong
Kong-Mainland conflict as illustrated below:
2. Social Identity Theory
Hong Kongers often label Mainlanders as rude and inferior while regarding themselves as
civilized and superior. This is because Hong Kongers gain pride for their in-group according to
the social identity theory. People do not only possess personal identity, but also social identity.
Their social identity which defines who I am is formed from group membership (Hogg, 2006).
Due to the unique historical and political background, Hong Kong citizens possess Hong
Kongers identity and construct their own territory consciousness. Under self-categorization,
they seek an in-group which shares the same social identity and characteristics (Stets & Burke,
2000). Thus, they categorize themselves as Hong Kongers while people born in Mainland
China as Mainlanders. They then identify themselves with a group as one of the members (ingroup) in order to gain self-esteem. In this case, Hong Kongers are regarded as in-group while
Mainlanders are regarded as out-groups which are distinctively different from them.
Afterwards, in-group members enhance their self-esteem by making comparison with outgroups. People hold in-group bias so they think favorably for their own group. This breeds
favoritism so members of in-group perceive we better than they. In this case, though there is
a minority of Mainlanders who behave impolitely, Hong Kong people, much affected by ingroup bias, still tend to think that all of Mainlanders are rude and impolite while Hong Kongers
are more courteous and civic conscious. Moreover, Hong Kongers often attribute unfavorable
behavior such as spitting in public areas, speaking loudly and jumping the queue to Mainlanders
while attributing favorable deeds to themselves such as giving seats to the elderly and being
obedient in order to gain higher self-esteem due to in-group bias. All these demonstrate how
social identity theory can be applied in Hong Kong-Mainland conflict.
All in all, according to the group realistic conflict theory, Hong Kongers have prejudice towards
Mainlanders because they compete for resources in various aspects including preschool places,
hospital beds and even infant milk powder. Social identity theory can also be applied in Hong
Kong-Mainland conflict.

Lam Pak Kan, Spencer UID: 3035056541

Thought Paper 2 Psy 2020

Reference List:
Hogg, Michael. (2006). Contemporary social psychological theories. New York: Stanford
University Press, 2006.

Jackson, Jay W. (1993). Realistic Group Conflict Theory: A Review and Evaluation of the
Theoretical and Empirical Literature. Psychological Record, 43, No.3, 395415.

Li, Sandy. (30 October, 2013). Mainland Parents Push Rents Near Border Higher. South China
Morning Post.

Nelson, T. D. (2002). Ageism: Stereotyping and Prejudice Against Older Persons. Cambridge, MA:
MIT Press.

Sharon, Lafraniere. (22 February, 2012). Mainland Chinese Flock to Hong Kong to Give Birth.
The New York Times.

Sidanius, J. & Pratto, F. (1999). Social Dominance: An Intergroup Theory of Social Hierarchy and
Oppression. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Stets, Jane & Burke, Peter J. (2000). Identity Theory and Social Identity Theory. Social
Psychology Journal, 63, No.3, 224-237.

Zhao, Shirley. (29 October, 2013). Feeling the Pressure amid Kindergarten Chaos. South China
Morning Post.