Realistic Conflict theory Flashcards
What is Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)?
- developed by Sherif and suggests that prejudice and intergroup conflict arise when groups compete for scarce resources.
- argues that competition between groups leads to hostility, and intergroup cooperation can reduce conflict.
What did Filindra and Pearson-Merkowitz (2013) find in their study on perceived threats and prejudice?
- Filindra and Pearson-Merkowitz (2013) examined data in New England to see if a dominant white majority perceives a threat from an out-group, leading to more prejudice.
- They found that when there was a perceived increase in immigrants, it correlated with more government restrictions on immigration, which could be seen as an effort to mitigate that threat.
- However, this effect was only observed during times of economic hardship, not when the economy was stable. This suggests that economic conditions can influence how perceived threats are responded to in terms of prejudice and policy.
What types of resources can lead to prejudice according to Realistic Conflict Theory?
- suggests that scarce resources can lead to prejudice.
- resources can include water, food, jobs, territory, financial resources, military power, or even social resources like friends.
- When these resources are scarce, prejudice is more likely to arise as groups compete for them.
What does “zero-sum” mean in Realistic Conflict Theory?
- “Zero-sum” refers to a situation where there is one winner and one loser in a conflict over a resource.
- If the resource is limited, and there is no possibility for both groups to benefit (e.g., territory), the conflict will be more intense, as it is a winner-takes-all scenario.
How does “zero-sum” conflict compare to other types of conflict over resources?
- Zero-sum conflict is more intense compared to situations where the resource can be shared.
- If a resource can be shared or a percentage gained by each side, the conflict will be less fierce than when there is a winner-takes-all scenario.
What research supports the idea of resource competition leading to prejudice?
- Data from the Michigan National Elections Survey supports the idea that competition for resources can lead to prejudice.
- The survey found that the white population in the USA resisted desegregation due to fears of resource depletion, illustrating how competition for resources can fuel prejudice and discrimination.
What does the term “ethnocentrism” refer to in the context of Realistic Conflict Theory?
- Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one’s own group is superior to others.
How can competition for scarce resources be reduced according to Realistic Conflict Theory?
- Prejudice and discrimination can be reduced if groups work together toward a common goal.
- Achieving a shared superordinate goal can reduce competition and lessen prejudice.
An example of superordinate goals reducing prejudice?
- A real-world example of superordinate goals is when unions were formed
- People from diverse backgrounds, such as different ethnicities and social classes, joined together to achieve fair pay, focusing on a common goal rather than their differences. This helped reduce the prejudice and competition between groups.
Evidence
- High
- Robbers Cave Experiment found that competition for resources led to increased prejudice and discrimination. EG: boys engaged in name-calling, burning property, and stealing, which supports RCT’s claim that competition for resources increases intergroup conflict.
Application
- Using RCT in the real world has the potential to make a big difference within a society. By eliminating prejudice and discrimination people can live in a more harmonious society where rather than fighting or find differences between each other their is cooperation and sharing to the benefit of everyone. For example when unions were first created to secure better pay and working conditions for it members.
Comparison
- SLT claims prejudice is natural and instinctive, happens immediately as u categorise yourself as belonging to an in-group (social categorisation) and notice others belonging to an outgrip (social comparison), prejudice has nothing to do w completion over reasources.
- SIT is backed up by Tajfel’s “Minimal Group” studies (1970) where boys showed outgroup discrimination even though they weren’t in competition with the outgroup
How good is the research
One issues with RCT is the evidence to support it has several issues which effect the credibility of the theory. For one the study had poor control over variables which lead to serious questions about the findings. For example, the Eagles had two members leave the study, this now means the Eagles are less able to compete with the Rattlers. This could mean that rather than the superordinate goals bringing the groups together that the Eagles felt it best to get along with them due to their inability to successfully beat the Rattlers.
