REALISTIC CONFLICT THEORY

Question 1

ao1
what is realistic confict theory?

Answer 1

theory proposed by sherif that prejudice and conflict arise from competition between groups over limited resources eg. land , money , power

Question 2

ao1
why do limited resources cause conflict in RCT?

Answer 2

resources are scarce so groups view each other as threats , leading to hostility , prejudice , discrimination

Question 3

ao1
define intergroup conflict in RCT?

Answer 3

hostility that arises between groups , often triggered by comp for limited resources

Question 4

ao1
define superordinate goals in RCT

Answer 4

shared goals that require cooperation to achieve , used to reduce hostility and prejudice

Question 5

ao1
define zero sum situation in context of RCT

Answer 5

a sitch where one groups gain is seen as another groups loss

Question 6

ao1
what are the three stages of conflict in RCT?

Answer 6

1. in group formation
2. friction / inter-group conflict
3. conflict resolution

Question 7

ao1
according to RCT what causes prejudice?

Answer 7

realistic conflict between groups , especially when resources are limited , not inevitable but caused by conflict

Question 8

ao1
what was the aim of sherif robbers cave study?

Answer 8

to see whether intergroup competition leads to conflict and whether cooperation and the use of superordinate goals can reduce prejudice

Question 9

ao1
what method was used in robbers cave study?

Answer 9

• field experiment
• 22 white , middle class boys ages 11-12
• randomly assigned to 2 groups rattlers and eagles
• three phases of bonding activities , intergroup competition , cooperation through subordinate goals

IN GROUP FORMATION
FRICTION / INTER GROUP COMPETITION
CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Question 10

ao1
robbers cave study findings

Answer 10

• competition led to hostility!! eg. name calling , aggression
• superordinate goals reduced conflict!! eg. moving food truck as a shared task reduced hostility

Question 11

ao1
robbers cave study conclusion

Answer 11

intergroup comp causes prejudice but coordination of superordinate goals can reduce hostility and promote harmony

Question 12

ao2
apply RCT to explain conflict between rival football fans

Answer 12

football fans compete for wins, trophies and dominance which is a zero sum situation. this leads to hostility and aggression. initiatives like anti-racism campaigns create superordinate goals encouraging cooperation and reducing prejudice

Question 13

ao2
how can RCT explain prejudice towards immigrants

Answer 13

locals may view immigrants as competing for limited resources (jobs , housing) causing intergroup tension , conflict and prejudice and discriminatory behaviour towards immigrants

Question 14

ao2
how does RCT explain national or ethnic conflict?

Answer 14

countries/ethnic groups may complete over land , political power or natural resources , the perceived comp fuels prejudice , discrimination and violence

Question 15

ao2
how can schools use RCT to reduce prejudice?

Answer 15

create superordinate goals by encouraging students from different backgrounds to work together on group tasks or inter-school competitions

Question 16

ao2
apply RCT to isreal palestine conflict

Answer 16

both groups compete for land and political power which is a zero sum situation , efforts like shared economic zones act as superordinate goals

Question 17

ao3
RCT - evidence

Answer 17

strongly supported by empirical evidence eg. robbers cave study:
- 22 boys split into two groups and introduced to staged intergroup competition , led to prejudice , discrimination and aggression
- supported RCT claim that comp over limited resources
- superordinate goals reduced hostility as required intergroup coordination supports RCT way of reducing prejudice

BUT
- study lacked population validity as only involved white , middle class american boys which limits generalisability

Question 18

ao3
RCT - application

Answer 18

• explains real word prejudice and conflict (eg. rivalry between football fans)
• RCT has strategies for reducing prejudice which can be used in schools and communities (eg. charity events, group projects) superordinate goals reduces prejudice
• applications shows usefulness in designing interventions , especially in education, workplaces , and post conflict societies

Question 19

ao3
RCT - strengths and shortcomings

Answer 19

• strong validity as explains real world hostility through observable resource based comp.
• also accounts for how prejudice can be reduced by coordination on superordinate goals which offers solutions to prejudice

BUT
- doesn’t explain prejudice in the absence of competition over resources
- research by tajfel and turner shows group categorisation without conflict can lead to in group bias and out group discrimination - RCT can’t explain
- reductionist!! only focus on material resources , ignores cultural norms , socialisation , media influence in shaping prejudiced attitudes
- ethnocentric!! developed in USA , individualistic culture , may not apply in collectivist cultures where competition is less emphasised

Question 20

ao3
RCT - alternative theory

Answer 20

social identity theory!!
- argues prejudice arises from social categorisation alone
- people strive to maintain positive social identity by favouring their in group and discriminating against their outgroups even when no real comp exists
- evidence from minimal group experiment supports SIT: ppts showed in group favouritism based on group assignment , contradicts RCT assumption that comp over limited resources is necessary or prejudice to occur
- RCT focuses on external conflict , SIT more holistic as emphasises internal group processes