Prejudice 1.1.4 Realistic Conflict Theory (Sheriff 1966)

Question 1

What does the theory suggest brings about prejudice?

Answer 1

Explains how intergroup hostility can arise due to
a) Conflicted goals
b) Competition of limited resources

Question 2

Give 3 examples of scarce resources.

Answer 2

1) Money
2) Land
3) Food

Question 3

Define ‘zero-sums fate’.

Answer 3

When there’s not enough resources to share, so only one group can prosper

Question 4

What does this theory suggest about the reality of conflict?

Answer 4

It can be real or percieved

Question 5

Give an example of a perceived conflict.

Answer 5

Idea that immigrants come to UK to ‘steal’our jobs, but in reality they don’t apply for the majority of jobs the British public seek

Question 6

Give an example of an actual conflict.

Answer 6

Civil war in Germany over land

Question 7

What does this theory suggest as a solution to competition causing prejudice?

Answer 7

Superordinate goals

Question 8

Define ‘superordinate goals’.

Answer 8

A goal only achieved via teamwork (solution for competition causing prejudice)

Question 9

Give an example of a superordinate goal reducing conflict.

Answer 9

Stereotypes about French people have reduced since the introduction of the EU allowing trading and working together of European countries.

Question 10

EACH-Evidence

Answer 10

1.P-Sherif’s (1954) study supports
E-Found that when he introduced competition to the boys, they became hostile.
E-Strength, shows that prejudice can be caused due to competition.
2.P-Christine Brain (2015) supports
E-Reported conflict between Russia + Ukraine due to Russia controlling gas supply to Europe that has to flow through Ukraine but they don’t get any.
E- Strength, demonstrates realistic conflict through zero-sums fate and limited resources through Ukraine and Russia’s fight over land, creating prejudice

Question 11

EACH-Application

Answer 11

P-Yes
E- Can explain real life instances of discrimination between ppl of diff ethnicities
E-Strength, ways to reduce discrimination eg jigsaw classroom/superordinate goals technique (working together to piece together and finish assignment)

Question 12

EACH-Credibility

Answer 12

1.P- Reductionist
E-Reduces prejudice down to competition for resources + conflict of interest
E-Not detailed enough, humans are v complex, so ignored the individual difference & societal value of free will
2.P- Social Identity Thoery disagrees
E-Says prejudice is built in us + the only thing you need to cause prejudice is the presence of another group
E-So competition is not the only factor, may be other dispositional factors affecting prejudice

Question 13

EACH-How?

Answer 13

1.P- Sherif’s study lacks generalisibility
E-Sample of 12 yr old boys from America, matched as closely as possible
E-Not generalisable to population outside of school age or international populations,so isn’t representative of prejudice arising as a result of conflict
2.P- Studies have low validity
E-Use correlational data of limited resources + conflict between groups
E-Doesn’t establish cause + effect between 2 variables so low credibility + validity