Realistic Conflict Theory - Sheriff (1966)

Question 1

Who made realistic conflict theory and when?

Answer 1

Muzaffer Sheriff 1966.

Question 2

According to Sheriff, what is the key to prejudice?

Answer 2

Competition in any form.

When 2 or more groups are striving for the same goal competition will intensify.

Question 3

Negative Interdependence:

Answer 3

• Occurs when two groups of people are trying to achieve a goal that is important to both of them but only one group can reach said goal.
• Each group will act to obstruct the opposing group.
• Intergroup interactions will deteriorate and become hostile/antagonistic.
• Interactions with own group will become increasingly cooperative.

Question 4

What does limited resources lead to?

Answer 4

Struggle between the groups:

• may be over scarce material or physical resources but may also be for symbolic resources (such as political power).
• situations involving competition for physical resources often lead to the highest levels of prejudice and discrimination.
• if compromise is possible or if commodity is subjective, levels will be much lower.

Question 5

Superordinate goals:

Answer 5

A goal which can only be achieved through intergroup cooperation

Question 6

Positive Interdependence:

Answer 6

• Occurs in a situation where neither group can achieve its goals unless the other group also reaches theirs.
• Prejudice that has arisen through intergroup conflict can be reduced through groups working together towards a common goal.

Question 7

Strength of realistic conflict theory:

Answer 7

It is supported by Sheriff et al’s 1961 Robbers Cave study where, in the second stage, researchers created competition through a sporting tournament where only one group could win (prizes). This was negative interdependence and there was an escalation of violence and increased prejudice (very few outgroup boys were viewed as friends).
Competition does lead to intergroup hostility and prejudice.

Question 8

Opposing Argument:

Answer 8

Although Sheriff’s Robbers Cave was a field experiment (good ecological validity), the original paper tells us how the boys needed serious provocation (experimenters secretly raided one group’s cabin) to show any explicit sign of prejudice or discrimination. So intergroup competition did not lead to hostility.

Question 9

Weakness of realistic conflict theory:

Answer 9

Externally imposed intergroup competition is not necessary to create prejudice.
Tajfel’s 1970 minimalist group experiment showed that prejudice can arise from the simple act as perceiving someone as ‘not lime me’. Boys were observed to treat others differently based solely on group membership information alone.

Question 10

Application of realistic conflict theory:

Answer 10

Can be successfully applied to reduce prejudice and discrimination in society.
Two of the most important problems facing the modern world. The survival of our world may depend on working together (superordinate goals) for the greater good like the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Question 11

Balanced conclusion for realistic conflict theory:

Answer 11

It is a useful theory as it highlights the fact that individuals and groups do not interact in a socioeconomic vacuum.
However, Tajfel’s research shows that competition is not always necessary to cause prejudice and discrimination.