Sherif realistic conflict theory

Question 1

Describe the application of Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 1

• Has a real-world application to stopping wars
• The European Union was formed to make a future war in Europe impossible by getting European countries to work towards a superordinate goal - to prevent war
• This is where resources can be only won if the groups engage in positive interdependence rather than intergroup competition to achieve their superordinate goal
• This means the theory can be applied to serious political matters all over the world

Question 2

Describe the disadvantage of Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 2

• Externally imposed competition between groups isn’t necessary to create prejudice
• Tajfel’s 1970 minimal group experiment showed that prejudice, or discrimination, can arise from the simple act of perceiving someone as being “different” or “not like them”
• In the study, they had to complete a trivial task of estimating the number of dots
• The study showed that boys will treat others differently on the basis of information about group membership alone, suggesting that prejudice may be less about competition and more about our own knowledge of our identity and self-worth, which can be assessed through comparison with others

Question 3

List the main points of Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 3

1. Intergroup competition
2. Negative interdependence
3. Limited resources
4. Superordinate goals and positive interdependence

Question 4

Describe superordinate goals and positive interdependence in Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 4

• Superordinate goals are mutually desired goals that cant be obtained without the participation of 2 or more groups
• The two groups must be interdependent where neither group can reach its goal unless the other group also reaches theirs
• Superordinate goals are goals that can only be achieved through intergroup cooperation.
• The introduction of these goals can reduce prejudice, and can lead to increasingly favourable perceptions of the opposing group and harmonious interactions between the two intergroup.

Question 5

Why is Sheriff’s realistic conflict theory called realistic?

Answer 5

It is a realistic theory because it proposes conflict between groups isn’t based on something irrational but on an actual need for resources

Question 6

Describe limited resources in Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 6

• The struggle between the groups may be for scarce material or physical resources. It might also be for symbolic resources like political power or authority.
• Situations involving competition for physical and finite resources often lead to the highest prejudice and discrimination and can result in catastrophic conflict.
• However, if a compromise is possible levels of prejudice and discrimination are much lower

Question 7

Describe the advantage of Sheriffs realistic conflict theory

Answer 7

• Has credibility due to support from the Michigan National Election studies
• This study gathered data on attitudes towards a government plan to merge schools and busses with black and white children through a survey
• White respondents opposed the idea of their children being schooled amongst African-American children.
• RCT would say this is because the white families felt that the privilege they enjoyed would be gone if they had to share it with the children of black families
• This supports the idea of intergroup conflict over limited resources

Question 8

Describe negative interdependence and what occurs during it in Sheriff’s realistic conflict theory

Answer 8

• It occurs in situations where two grounds of people are both seeking to achieve a goal that is important for both of them, yet only one group can reach that goal.
• In situations of negative interdependence, intergroup relations will deteriorate, interactions with the opposing group will become hostile.
• Solidarity within each group will increase.

The zero-sum fate is the idea that if one side gains, someone has to lose out.

• Believe that an outgroup can only benefit at their expense. So if the out-group members are doing well, the in-groups think they’re losing out.

Question 9

Define intergroup competition in Sheriff’s realistic conflict theory

Answer 9

When 2 or more groups are seeking the same limited resources and are in close proximity, intergroup conflict increases along with prejudice and hostility.