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Realistic Conflict Theory - Coggle Diagram
Realistic Conflict Theory
Prejudice develops between two groups because of conflict caused by competition
Inter Group Conflict
conflict between groups, e.g. hostility/ prejudice towards immigrants caused by 'competition' for resources such as housing, jobs etc.
Superordinate goals
goals shares by two groups who will have to operate in order to achieve it
population
small population
:
a small population may have more resources, meaning there is less competition between groups for those resources and therefore less conflict/ prejudice
large population
:
a large population may have less/ a shortage of resources, so there will be more competition for them and therefore more conflict and prejudice
Sherif
aim
to see whether prejudice would develop between
two groups of similar people
when they were put into competition with each other
procedure
two groups of summer camp boys:
first week: unaware of each other, in groups formed
second week: introduced to each other - out groups formed
competition introduction: examiners manipulated scores and deliberately created conflict between the groups
superordinate goals introduced
findings and conclusion
the boys all showed a strong preference for their in group, they acted competitively in tournaments
this shows that prejudice is a result of competition and conflict
HOWEVER
signs of prejudice were observed
before
competition was introduced, it increased after competition was introduced, meaning competition and conflict are not the cause of prejudice, but only a factor in it
CISAC
Can explain
why there is prejudice between groups who are in conflict or competition, e.g. populations in competition for limited resources
Issues and Debates
Application
hostility towards immigrants. people often think that immigrants will take away resources such as food, housing, jobs/money etc., therefore creating competition for those limited resources
Studies
Sherif
Cannot Explain
why prejudice would develop between groups who are not in conflict or competition (e.g. why prejudice was observed between the two summer camp groups in Sherif's study before the introduction of tournaments) social identity theory provides a better explanation for this