Realistic conflict theory Flashcards
what is realistic conflict theory?
explanation of how competition creates conflict leading to prejudice
what is the RCT supporting evidence?
sheriffs study (rattlers vs eagles)
- shows how competition creates prejudice
- explains prejudice between groups in society
what is the RCT critical evidence?
Levine = football fans
- more likely to help a fallen stranger if they are wearing your teams colours e.g liverpool shirt
- shows belonging to a group is enough for prejudice to occur
what was sherif’s sample?
22, 11 year-old boys from oklahoma
what were the superordinate goals?
- tug of war
- fixing water tank
- putting money together for movie
- basketball
- swimming competition
what is scapegoating?
where one group is blamed for all the faults (discriminated against)
what are superordinate goals?
mutually desirable goals used to reduce conflict
what was the aim of sherifs study?
to investigate whether prejudice can be caused by the formation of groups in society and competition
how were the boys matched?
based on IQ, teachers rating of behaviour and sporting ability
what was stage one?
in group formation
what happened in in group formation?
the boys created group norms and roles were given within the group whilst the two teams were kept apart for a week
what was the second stage?
inter group relations - friction phase
what happened in the friction phase?
the two groups had to compete against each other in tasks such as a swim gala and baseball
what was the third stage?
inter group relations - integration
what happened in the integration stage?
superordinate goals were introduced such as fixing the water tank and putting money together for a movie
what were sherifs results?
in stage two there were name calling
in stage three there were comments such as ‘ladies first’ but hostility died down and less prejudice
