Realistic conflict theory

Question 1

Define prejudice

Answer 1

a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience or to give rise to prejudice in (someone); make biased

Question 2

1st aspect of prejudice

Answer 2

Affect - Feelings or emotions that you feel towards someone.

Question 3

2nd aspect of prejudice

Answer 3

Behaviour - The way that you act towards others

Question 4

3rd aspect of prejudice

Answer 4

Cognition - Your beliefs about the other. Normally based on stereotypes or generalisations of the group they belong to

Question 5

Define intergroup competition (use an example from sherif)

Answer 5

Competitions between individuals from different groups. Often over resources.

Sherif - the boys were competing against each other for prizes, scored of who was winning was kept. The boys were in conflict to see who was better

Question 6

Define negative interdependence (use an example from sherif)

Answer 6

When both the groups are seeking the same goal. But only one group can attain that goal. There is a conflict of interest, there is a winner, and a loser.
This can lead to the groups becoming increasingly hostile towards the out-group, but also increase solidarity within the in-group.

Sherif - both teams can’t win together in the tug of war, therefore putting them against each other. hostility could be seen in the flag burning and name calling people within the group were also friendlier with each other, as opposed to outsiders

Question 7

Define limited resources (use an example from sherif)

Answer 7

The struggle may be for scarce resources, such as food or territory. But may also be for symbolic resources, such as power and prestige.
Specific physical and finite resources result in the fiercest prejudice. Such as land, housing or food. More subjective goods, or when a compromise is visible leads to lower prejudice

Sherif - the prizes were a limited resource. the appearance or bragging rights for winning challenges can also be a resource

Question 8

Define positive interdependence

Answer 8

When groups have to be reliant on each other to achieve a goal, the prejudice can decrease.
Each group is reliant on the other to be successful

Question 9

Define superordinate goals (use an example from sherif)

Answer 9

Goals which can only be achieved through intergroup cooperation. These can lead to increasingly favourable perceptions between the groups and decrease prejudice

Sherif - when the boys have to rely on each others strengths and cooperation to access the water tank

Question 10

Evaluate a strength of the study

Answer 10

I - Sherif’s Robbers cave study supports the RCT idea that competition leads to prejudice
J - In groups competed with each other e.g. tug of war, swimming and the groups heavily disliked each other which is proved through their actions of burning each others flags. there were also very few intergroup friendships
E - Therefore, highlighting how the change in behaviour demonstrates that competition leads to prejudice in an ecologically valid way

Question 11

Evaluate a weakness of the study

Answer 11

I - However, there is research that suggests that competition is not necessary for prejudice to occur.
J - He found that even though there isn’t competition between the groups, the presence of another group was enough to cause prejudice between the boys to pick members from their own team to give the money to
E - Therefore, demonstrating how competition isn’t needed for prejudice to occur, by just being in different groups is enough to create bias against each other. Discrediting realistic conflict theory