Prejudice: Realistic Conflict Theory

Question 1

Define Realistic Conflict Theory

Answer 1

An explanation of prejudice which sees competition for limited resources as a key determinant of intergroup relations. Developed by Sherif.

Question 2

Intergroup Competition

Answer 2

Sherif suggested that the key to prejudice is competition in any form. He suggested that when two or more groups are striving for the same goal, prejudice and hostility will intensify.

Question 3

Negative Interdependence

Answer 3

Occurs in situations where two groups of people are both seeking to achieve a goal that is important for both of them, yet only one can reach that goal. This means there is a real ‘conflict of interest’.

Question 4

Negative and Interdependent

Answer 4

Negative refers to the fact that each group will act to obstruct the others achievement.

Interdependent refers to the fact that one group’s win is contingent upon the other group’s loss.

Question 5

Situations of Negative Interdependence

Answer 5

In these situations, intergroup relations will deteriorate.

Question 6

Interactions with members of opposing group

Answer 6

Will become agnostic and hostile, while interactions between members of one’s own group will become increasingly cooperative.

In both groups there will be an increase in solidarity. Whether a person is perceived to be a collaborator or a competitor will become very important to determine how they are treated.

Question 7

Limited Resources: Struggle

Answer 7

Struggle between groups may be for scarce material or physical resources, such as food and territory, or symbolic resources.

Question 8

Limited Resources: Competition

Answer 8

Situations involving competition for physical and finite resources like a specific strip of land, often leading to the highest levels of prejudice and discrimination and can result in conflict.

Question 9

Limited Resources: Comprimise

Answer 9

If some form of compromise is possible, levels of prejudice and discrim are lower.

Question 10

Positive Interdependence

Answer 10

Sherif argued that prejudice has arisen through intergroup conflict can be reduced through groups working cooperatively to accomplish a common goal. However, the key factor is that the two groups must be interdependent.

Question 11

When does PI occur?

Answer 11

Occurs in situations where neither group can reach its goals unless the other group reaches theirs.

Question 12

Subordinate Goals

Answer 12

Describes goals which can only be achieved through intergroup cooperation. The introduction of these goals can be important in reducing prejudice, leading to harmonious intergroup interactions.

Question 13

Why does Sherif’s Robbers Cave Experiment (1961) support RCT?

Answer 13

In stage 2 of his experiment, the researchers created intergroup competition in the form of a sporting tournament where only one group could win and there were prizes for winners and nothing for losers.

This negative interdependence situation and the outcome was an escalation of violence and prejudice.

Findings demonstrate that competition does lead to intergroup hostility and prejudice.

Question 14

Competing

Answer 14

The original paper revealed that the boys needed serious provocation in order to trigger any explicit display of prejudice or discrimination.

Experimenters had to secretly raid one groups cabin to make it appear the other group attacked them. Thus intergroup competition does not lead to hostility.

Question 15

Why is Tajfel’s (1970) study a weakness?

Answer 15

Externally imposed competition between groups is not necessary to create prejudice.

Tajfel’s minimal group experiment, showed that prejudice is can arise from perceiving someone as not like them.

This study shows that boys will treat others differently on the basis of info about the group membership alone, suggests prejudice is less about competition and more about our knowledge of who we are and our self worth, assessed through comparison with others

Question 16

Application of RCT

Answer 16

Successfully applied to reduce prejudice and discrimination in society.

RCT proposes that intergroup relations can be enhanced through introduction of subordinate goals, requiring in and out groups to work cooperatively to achieve a goal.

This is a strength because P and D are major problems in society and the survival of our planet may hinge on diverse groups working together, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.