Realistic Conflict Theory

Question 1

What is realistic conflict theory?

Answer 1

The idea that conflict for limited resources between groups cause prejudice.

These limited resources could be things such as food, water and territory or jobs if unemployment is high, financial resources, military resources or social resources such as friends

Question 2

Strengths and weaknesses

Answer 2

Strengths:
- it can be used to decrease prejudice by creating super ordinate goals

Weaknesses:
- Tyerman+ Spenser observed English scouts and didn’t find prejudice

Question 3

What is zero sum?

Answer 3

Where there is one winner and one loser. It may be that some resources are such that there can only be one winner and one loser. In these situations conflict can be more fierce

Question 4

How can social identity theory and realistic conflict theory be used to reduce prejudice

Answer 4

SIT- teaching people they belong to a larger out group such as Britishness can reduce prejudice

RCT- creating superordinate goals so that they have to work together