Realistic Conflict Theory

• According to the text, is Realistic Conflict Theory compulsory theory?

  Yes
• Besides general questions, what other types of questions might the exam ask about Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Specific questions
• According to the text, what specific question related to genocide could the exam ask?

  How does Realistic Conflict explain genocide?
• According to the text, what specific question related to sexism could the exam ask?

  What explanations does Realistic Conflict give of sexism?
• What should students be prepared to explain regarding Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Strengths and weaknesses
• Who developed Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Muzafer Sherif
• In what year did Sherif publish his book?

  1966
• What famous study did Sherif conduct?

  “Robbers Cave” study
• Why is Realistic Conflict Theory called a "Realist" theory?

  Conflict is based on actual need for resources
• Why is Realistic Conflict Theory considered a "conflict" theory?

  It rejects the idea groups can cooperate
• What study does Realistic Conflict Theory underlie?

  Sherif’s “Robbers Cave” study
• Which theory does Realistic Conflict Theory oppose?

  Social Identity Theory
• According to Social Identity Theory, what is conflict based on?

  Irrational needs for identity
• According to Social Identity Theory, what might people sacrifice to defeat out-groups?

  What they need
• What approach does Realistic Conflict Theory illustrate?

  Social Approach
• How does Realistic Conflict Theory relate to the Key Question in Social Psychology?

  It helps explain prejudice
• What do people tend to do with their groups?

  Identify with their groups
• What type of views do people tend to have about some other groups?

  Negative views
• What is Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Groups seeking limited resources leads to conflict
• What does Realistic Conflict Theory attempt to explain?

  Why some outgroups attract hostility
• What does conflict lead to?

  Animosity toward the groups
• What can reduce conflict, negative stereotypes and beliefs, and discrimination?

  Superordinate goals
• What are superordinate goals?

  Mutually-desirable goals needing group participation
• Is actual conflict over resources necessary for conflict to arise?

  No, perceived conflict is enough
• What is the Zero-Sum Fate?

  If one side gains, another loses
• When does Realistic Conflict occur, according to the text?

  People believe outgroup benefits at their expense
• What study showed Realistic Conflict in action?

  “Robbers Cave” study
• What did the Michigan National Election Studies survey gather data on?

  Attitudes toward merging schools
• According to RCT, why did white respondents oppose merging schools?

  Threat to their privilege
• What does RCT predict will happen to prejudices during resource shortages?

  They will increase
• What conflict does Christine Brain (2015) describe?

  Russia and Ukraine
• What does Christine Brain (2015) attribute the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to?

  Control of gas supply
• Who argues there are two types of realistic conflict?

  John Duckitt
• What characterizes standard Realistic Conflict according to Duckitt (1994)?

  Competition between equal peer groups
• What is "domination of the outgroup by the ingroup?"

  Conflict with a low status outgroup
• What might the dominated group do?

  Accept or resent their inferior status
• What does the powerful ingroup decide regarding rebellion?

  Whether it's justified or unjustified
• What can cooperation result in, according to Realistic Conflict Theory?

  More shared resources
• How can prejudice be reduced, according to Realistic Conflict Theory?

  By setting up superordinate goals
• Who demonstrated the power of superordinate goals to reduce conflict?

  Sherif