RCT Support

• Doty et al. (1991): Found US authoritarianism levels varied late 1970s-80s, depending on perceived threat from external source (Cold War and Russia); anyone seen as different was challenged and seen as negative, McCarthyism: Witch hunt for ‘Communist Sympathies’; supporting Realistic Conflict Theory - not authoritarianism, as it wasn't a relatively fixed internal personality trait
• Carol and Melvin Ember (1992): Social Anthropologists observed tribal societies: intergroup hostility increases when social or natural conditions necessitates competition; during periods of famine or natural disasters, warfare ensures access to available resources for victor; also, when population is low and land is abundant, hostilities between small societies are less likely, this correlation is consistent with Realistic Conflict Theory, however, correlations do not necessarily suggest causation
• Sherif et al. (1961): Found a strong in-group preference and out-group hostility by each group (generated by competitions); eventually reduced by the joint problem-solving tasks (superordinate goals)
• Aronson et al. Jigsaw classroom (1978): Tested Realistic Conflict Theory by introducing cooperation in classrooms where competition was rife; using ‘jigsaw’ technique, students were divided into small groups and had to succeed in one group task to ensure success of overall class project; hostility decreased, showing removal of competition decreases prejudice and increases harmony