1.1.4 Theories - Social identity and Realistic Conflict

Question 1

RCT

AO1

(x6)

Answer 1

Sherif claims that conflict of interest or competition is a sufficient condition to cause conflict or hostility. When 2 groups have the same goal in sight, which may lead to the possibility of material gain, intergroup hostility can arise from conflicting goals and competition over limited resources. Groups may be in competition for a real or perceived scarcity of resources such as money, jobs, political power, military protection or social status where feelings of resentment can arise as only one group is the winner. The length and severity of conflict is based on perceived value and shortage of a given resource. Positive relations can then only be restored if superordinate goals are put in place so that there is a reduction in hostility and greater unity/harmony between groups

Question 2

RCT

AO3

Strengths:

Answer 2

• RCT is supported by robbers cave experiment. The use of superordinate goals such as fixing the water tank when the water supply was threatened, forced the two groups to cooperate. Therefore showing that having a common aim and completing a superordinate goal, reduced intergroup hostility
• RCT has application to SoC. the theory suggests that positive relations can only be restored after conflict if superordinate goals are put in place. Therefore we could encourage football fans to support England rather than individual teams, this would reduce intergroup hostility

Question 3

RCT

AO3

Weaknesses:

Answer 3

• SIT is a competing theory. Sherif suggests that competition is needed for conflict between groups whereas Tajfel suggests that the mere existence of two groups causes conflict. Therefore the studies show opposing views on conditions needed for hostility and prejudice to occur in SoC
• however there are individual differences. For example, there are long running differences between religious and ethnic groups however people have different lengths and severity of their hostility and prejudice. There for individual differences explains why some people are prejudice and hostile and others aren’t

Question 4

SIT

AO1

x6

Answer 4

• Social categorisation suggests prejudice can be explained by our tendency to put ourselves as a part of the in-group and to classify others as part of an out-group. for example, football teams see themselves as the in-group and any rival teams as the out-group
• social identification suggests that we identify with the identity of the group we categorise ourselves as belonging to and internalise the norms, attitudes and values of the group members. for example football supporters wear matching colours and sing team songs, differentiating themselves from other teams
• social comparison suggests that we compare our in-group with the out-group, displaying in-group favouritism which enhances self-esteem. for example, at football matches, supporters will think that their team players are the best and show hostility towards rival teams

Question 5

SIT

AO3

Strengths:

Answer 5

• Social identity theory is supported by end of phase one in Sherifs robbers cave experiment. When the rattlers heard of the other group they said, “they had better not be an our swimming hole”. therefore showing that just the existence of two groups, an outgroup, is enough to create tension and hostility
• the theory has application to SoC. Study suggests that the mere existence of two groups causes conflict. For example, football teams have large differences, in-group favouritism and strong social identification. therefore we need to encourage people to support England in order to reduce differences and to create one large in-group

Question 6

SIT

AO3

Weaknesses:

Answer 6

• RCT is a competing theory. Tajfel suggests that the mere existence of two groups causes conflict whereas Sherif suggests competition is needed for conflict and hostility. therefore the theories show opposing views of conditions needed for hostility and prejudice to occur in SoC
• however there are individual differences. For example, footballers all chant the same songs and wear matching colours to feel strong social identification but not all football fans show social comparison; being rude and aggressive to an outgroup. Therefore individual differences explains why some people are prejudice and hostile while others aren’t