Social💭 • Realistic Conflict Theory + Studies

Question 1

What is Realistic Conflict Theory?

Answer 1

An explanation of prejduice; it states that competition for limited resources is a key catalyst for intergroup hostilites e.g. discrimination/ prejudice

Question 2

What are the 3 key aspects to this theory?

Answer 2

• Competition between groups over limited resources
• Superordinate goals
• Ingroup/ Outgroup formation + Interdependence

Question 3

Who created this theory & why did they create it?

Answer 3

Proposed by Sherif in efforts to explain his famous ‘Robber’s cave’ study (1954)

Question 4

What does the theory propose when groups compete for limited resources?

Answer 4

Intergroup hostility, animosity and conflict will arise between groups which can lead to prejudice/ discrimination

Question 5

What is discrimination?

Answer 5

The unfair treatment of people based on their perceived characteristics/ steryotpical attributes

Question 6

What is prejudice?

Answer 6

A negative attitude or feeling towards a person or group based on their perceived characteristics/ steryotpical attributes

Question 7

List the 7 main types of prejudice

Answer 7

• Sexism
• Racism
• Xenophobia
• Transphobia
• Homophobia
• Abelism
• Fatphobia.

Question 8

What is intergroup competiton?

Answer 8

When 2 groups are competing with eachother for a goal

Question 9

What did Sherif propose is the key to any type of prejudice?

Answer 9

Competiton in any form

Question 10

Sherif inferred that: When two or more groups are striving for the same goal ____________ and ____________ will intensify.

Answer 10

When two or more groups are striving for the same goal prejudice and hostility will intensify.

Question 11

What is negative interdependence?

Answer 11

When two groups are seeking the same goal that is important for both of them, yet only one group can reach the goal

Question 12

What is the ‘negative’ aspect to negative interdependence?

Answer 12

The ‘negative’ label refers to how each group will act to obstruct eachothers achivement, its a competition, only one group will win

Question 13

What is the ‘independant’ aspect to negative interdependence?

Answer 13

The ‘independent’ label refers to how one groups win is contingent on the other goups loss

Question 14

In situations of negative interdependence, intergroup relations will ____________

Answer 14

In situations of negative interdependence, intergroup relations with deteriorate

Question 15

During an activity that induces negative interdependence, how would interactions between a persons ingroup and their opposing outgroup look like?

Answer 15

• Ingroup relations: Will become increasingly more cooperative
• Outgroup relations: Will become increasingly antagonistic and hostile

Question 16

What is positive interdependence?

Answer 16

When neither groups can reach their goal unless the other group reaches theirs, when groups work cooperatively to reach the same goal

Question 17

How does Sherif propose that prejudice that has risen due to intergroup conflicts can be reduced (+ the key aspect to this solutions sucess)?

Answer 17

Through groups working together, cooperativley to reach a common goal (superordinates) - the key feature in the sucess of this is that both groups must be interdependent

Question 18

What is interdependence?

Answer 18

The dependence of two or more people/groups or things on each other e.g. completing a common goal

Question 19

What are superordinate goals?

Answer 19

A goal that can only be achieved through intergroup cooperation e.g. positive interdependence - the key with this is that the goal cannot be compelted unless both groups contributed together

Question 20

What is an ingroup?

Answer 20

A group to whom you, as a person, belong, and anyone else who is perceived as belonging to that group

Question 21

What is an outgroup?

Answer 21

An outside group from your own that commonly is viewed negatively in comparison to your own

Question 22

What is intergroup hostility?

Answer 22

Conflicts between two groups of people

Question 23

RCT Suggests that: Competition over ________ ________ can drive ________ hostility, but ________ efforts towards shared objectives that help to ________ this conflict

Answer 23

Competition over limited resources can drive intergroup hostility, but collaberative efforts towards shared objectives that help to mitigate this conflict

Question 24

What often is the response in conflict to fighting over physical & finite resources?

Answer 24

Competition over these resources often lead to the highest levels of prejudice and discrimination & can result in the fiercest of conflict

Question 25

What can the simple act of group distinction lead to?

Answer 25

Negative steryotyping (prejudice) and increased animosity

Question 26

What is the main (only study really required) for an explanation for Realistic Conflict Theory?

Answer 26

Robber’s Cave Study (1954)