10. Realistic Conflict Theory Prejudice

Question 1

What did Sherif (1966) suggest from realistic conflict theory?

Answer 1

-Competition for limited resources can cause inter-group inflict.
-Realistic conflict theory suggests that when competition for resources occurs as there is an actual need for resources.

Question 2

Define realistic.

Answer 2

Conflict arises due to the actual need for resources and therefore not something irrational.

Question 3

Define conflict.

Answer 3

Sherif rejected the idea that different groups of people could share and cooperate in harmony.

Question 4

Define zero-sum fate.

Answer 4

Only one winner- if one side gains, someone else has to lose out. Realistic conflict theory occurs when people believe that an out group can only benefit at their expense. So, if they see out group members doing well, they conclude they must be losing out somehow.

Question 5

Define negative interdependence.

Answer 5

Where two groups of people are both seeking to achieve a goal that is important to both of them.

Negative: as each group will obstruct the other group’s achievement.
Interdependence: as one groups win is dependent upon the other group’s less.

Question 6

How can hostility be reduced?

Answer 6

Hostility can be reduced by creating superordinate groups to create a common objective, sharing resources.

Question 7

What are superordinate goals?

Answer 7

-Superordinate goals are mutually desirable goals that enable people from opposing sides to come together and work toward a common end.
-As a result of this conflict decreases and leads to reduced prejudice and therefore reduced discrimination.

Question 8

Who took part in Sherif et al (1961) Robber’s cave supporting study.

Answer 8

11 and 12 year old boys.

Question 9

Where did the Robber’s cave supporting study take place? (Sherif et al 1961)

Answer 9

Oklahoma park, a field experiment.

Question 10

What tasks were they asked to take place in during the Robber’s cave study?

Answer 10

-In group formation: Swimming and hikes.
-Friction: 2 groups came into contact, did competitions with one prize, limited resources.
-Conflict resolution: Meant to make peace. Limited resource of water, boys had to work together,

Question 11

How was conflict resolved?

Answer 11

Superordinate (common goals), enabling both sides to come together.

Question 12

What did the robbers cave study conclude?

Answer 12

-Competition does lead to intergroup hostility and prejudice.
-Discussions don’t solve conflict.
-Individual differences are not responsible.
-Only common goals reduce friction.

Question 13

Describe the supporting research from Filindra and Pearson-Merkowitz (2013)?

Answer 13

-Examination of data in New England to see if, when dominant white majority perceive threat, there is more prejudice and discrimination.
-Perceived increase in the presence of immigrants in the community did correlate with an immigration policy with more restrictions.

Question 14

What was the aim of the refuting research for realistic conflict theory from Tajfel’s minimal groups experiment (1970)?

Answer 14

The aim of Tajfel’s study was to provide evidence that merely belonging to one group and being ware that another group existed would lead to discriminatory behaviour in favour of your own group.

Question 15

What was the procedure of the refuting research for realistic conflict theory from Tajfel’s minimal groups experiment (1970)?

Answer 15

-Tajfel worked with 64 boys aged 14 and 15 from a Bristol comprehensive school who came to the laboratory in groups of 8.
-In the second part of his experiment, they were shown several paintings by two artists (Kandinsky and Klee), and asked to say which they preferred.
-Boys were told which boys had also chosen the artist they liked and those who didn’t (Tajfel just made this up, as a control, he arbitrarily assigned boys to an artist so that there would be no meaningful difference between the groups).
-Later the boys were asked to allocate points to all the other boys, which could be exchanged for cash.

Question 16

What were the results of the refuting research for realistic conflict theory from Tajfel’s minimal groups experiment (1970)?

Answer 16

Tajfel found that more points were awarded to boys who had been in the same in-group than those in the out-group. Furthermore, they always tried to give their in-group the best deal at the expense of the out-group.

Question 17

What was the conclusion of the refuting research for realistic conflict theory from Tajfel’s minimal groups experiment (1970)?

Answer 17

The boys showed prejudice behaviour of awarding fewer numbers of points to boys who were not in their in-group. This demonstrated that merely forming arbitrary in- and out-groups, which did not even reflect the actual preferences of the boys, was sufficient to produce prejudice in favour of an in-group and against an out-group.

Question 18

Describe the refuting research from Tyeman and Spencer.

Answer 18

Tyeman and Spencer failed to replicate Sherif’s Robber’s cave findings with a group of 30 scout boys at a 2 weeks camp, who were already acquainted they found that actually, during the competition phase ingroup solidarity did not increase in fact it decreased slightly.
-Furthermore, they interacted wall es a group and didn’t become hostile in competition.
-This suggests that competition may only elicit prejudice from people who do not already know each other well.

Question 19

Describe the real life application of realistic conflict theory from Aronson and Bridgeman (1979).

Answer 19

Aronson and Bridgeman (1979) used the iea of superordinate goals to reduce prejudice in an American classroom. They did so by having the class work together in a jigsaw activity. Therefore, their shared goal was to each take responsibility for a group project. The end result was that they had increased liking and empathy for the outgroup.

Question 20

Describe the refuting theory of Tajfel and Turner’s social identity theory (1979).

Answer 20

-SIT prejudice is due to the mere act of categorisation (putting people into groups) and identification and comparison.
-Conflict or competition for resources is not necessary.
-Prejudice may therefore be more about our knowledge of who we are and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, than a conflict for limited resources.