Realistic Conflict Theory

• Who developed Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Muzafer Sherif
• Realistic Conflict Theory is considered a "Realist" theory because it proposes that conflict arises from competition over resources
• Realistic Conflict Theory suggests that groups can always share and cooperate without conflict.

  False
• What Classic Study supports Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Robbers Cave study
• Social Identity Theory opposes Realistic Conflict Theory by suggesting that conflict is based on irrational needs for identity
• Social Identity Theory proposes that people might sacrifice their own needs to defeat outgroups.
• What is the Key Question in Social Psychology that Realistic Conflict Theory helps explain?

  Prejudice and how to reduce it
• Match the country with the negative stereotype associated with it:

  France ↔️ Eating frogs

  Germany ↔️ No sense of humor
• Realistic Conflict Theory states that competition for limited resources leads to conflict, negative stereotypes, and discrimination
• Which countries used to compete for imperial colonies according to Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Britain, France, and Germany
• Countries like the Netherlands and Denmark never competed with Britain for power, so there are no negative stereotypes about them.
• Superordinate goals are mutually-desirable goals that require cooperation between two or more groups
• What superordinate goal reduced prejudice between British, French, and German people after the creation of the EU?

  Trade and cooperation
• Perceived conflict, rather than actual conflict, is sufficient to trigger prejudice according to Realistic Conflict Theory.
• What is the Zero-Sum Fate concept in Realistic Conflict Theory?

  If one side gains, another loses
• Realistic Conflict Theory suggests that prejudice increases when people believe an outgroup can only benefit at their expense
• The "Robbers Cave" study provides empirical evidence for Realistic Conflict Theory.
• What did the Michigan National Election Studies survey find regarding attitudes toward merging schools?

  White opposition to integration
• Christine Brain (2015) describes the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as a conflict over the supply of gas
• According to John Duckitt (1994), what are the two types of realistic conflict?

  Standard and domination
• In domination conflict, the powerful ingroup decides whether the rebellion of the dominated outgroup is justified or unjustified.
• Steps to reduce prejudice according to Realistic Conflict Theory

  1️⃣ Set superordinate goals

  2️⃣ Promote cooperation

  3️⃣ Challenge perceptions
• Gordon Allport (1954) proposed the Contact Hypothesis, which suggests that increased contact reduces prejudice
• What three conditions did Allport say are necessary for the Contact Hypothesis to work?

  Superordinate goals, equal status, personal contact
• Authority support is necessary for the success of the Contact Hypothesis.
• What real-world organization aims to promote peace through shared sporting goals?

  Olympic Movement
• The "Robbers Cave" study showed that cooperation to fix a water pipe reduced hostility between the Eagles and the Rattlers
• Which Classic Study supports Realistic Conflict Theory?

  Robbers Cave study
• Bigoted people often create the perception of competition to justify their prejudices.
• The "Robbers Cave" study was criticized because it generalized adult behavior from schoolboys
• What does Social Identity Theory suggest about the cause of prejudice?

  Social categorization
• Social Identity Theory proposes that prejudice is natural and instinctive.
• Tajfel's "Minimal Group" studies showed outgroup discrimination without any competition over resources
• Bigoted people often create the idea of competition to justify their prejudices
• Social Identity Theory suggests that prejudice is natural and instinctive.
• What are the two key processes in Social Identity Theory that lead to prejudice?

  Social categorisation and social comparison
• Social Identity Theory claims that prejudice has nothing to do with competition over resources
• Tajfel's "Minimal Group" studies support Social Identity Theory.
• What did the boys in Tajfel's "Minimal Group" studies prioritize when assigning points?

  Creating competition
• Assigning points in Tajfel's studies may lack ecological validity