realistic conflict theory (Sherif, 1966)

Question 1

how does Sherif explain prejudice?

Answer 1

• as arising from conflict between groups
• may be caused by a conflict of interest or competition for resources, dominance or land

Question 2

what does rct state?

Answer 2

• whenever there are two or more groups seeking the same limited resources, this’ll lead to conflict, negative stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination between groups
• theory says that hostility between groups is result of direct competition for limited and valued resources

Question 3

what did Sherif find about rct? (Robber’s Cave Exp)

Answer 3

• conducted series of boys’ summer camp exps, one known as Robber’s Cave Exp
• formed basis of rct
• found that if he introduced competition between boys, intergroup conflict was created

Question 4

rct application to real life (immigration)

Answer 4

• rct evident in society today
• eg when new group of immigrants arrive in a country, they can often be met with prejudice on the part of the indigenous population as they’re viewed as competitors for resources eg jobs, housing and schooling
• results in in group favouritism and solidarity and marked hostility towards members of out group

Question 5

rct application to real life (working together)

Answer 5

• when groups need to work together for a common aim, there’s a reduction in hostility and greater harmony in groups
• Sherif believed that intergroup hostility could only be reduced by superordinate goals where all members of each group need to cooperate in order to achieve intended outcome

Question 6

what did Ember find about rct?

Answer 6

• social anthropologist
• observed that in tribal society intergroup hostility increases when social or natural conditions mean that competition for these resources are necessary
• during periods of famine or natural disasters, warfare was more likely to ensure access to available scarce resources

Question 7

different theory (SIT)

Answer 7

• Social Identity Theory
• state that mere formation of groups causes prejudice
• people naturally want to see their in group as better and therefore automatically compare their in group with out group to raise self esteem

Question 8

other things (weakness): Shiites-Sunni

Answer 8

• in real life situations eg Shiites-Sunni it’s rare there’s only conflict over one clear resource
• often there’s more to it, eg religious beliefs/differences

Question 9

what did Aronson et al. find about rct?

Answer 9

• tested rct by introducing cooperation in classrooms where competition was rife
• using jigsaw technique, where students were divided into small groups that had to succeed in one group task to ensure success of overall class project, they found that levels of competition decreased
• demonstrates that removal of competition decreases prejudice and increases liking between class members
• similar to final stage of Sherif’s Robber’s Cave Exp