Prejudice – realistic conflict theory

What is this theory based on?

The findings from the Roberts Cave experiment

What does it explain?

Prejudice arising from conflict between groups – intergroup conflict

What are some examples?

– Nazi party used propaganda to blame Jewish people for poor economy and high unemployment in Germany

– Immigrants some people may hold prejudice views against them as they could be seen as Competitors for jobs

What Are some examples of limited resources and what does limited resources lead to?

Food, water, money, jobs, social dominance, this may lead to competition

What is a subordinate goal?

A goal shared by all members of one group (but not other groups)

What is negative functional interdependence?

Group believes the only way that they can achieve their goal if the other group fails to obtain their goal

What is the result of all this competition?

Extreme in group favouritism and solidarity, hostility towards members of the out group

How can Intergroup hostility be reduced?

Superordinate goals – something both groups have to work and cooperate on to achieve a shared aim

Superordinate goals lead to positive functional interdependence , What is this?

When everyone shares the same goals, so all individuals and groups benefit from the corporation to achieve them

EVALUATION OF REALISTIC CONFLICT THEORY

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Evidence

🙂– Sheriff found boys show favouritism in own group, and hostility to boys outside their group because of competition for resources e.g. points and prizes . – Implies credibility to theory

CA– This is a field experiment and had good ecological validity, boys needed serious provocation to trigger any explicit display of prejudice or discrimination– Experiment is rated one group’s cabin to make it look like other group had attack them – intergroup competition may not lead hostility

Boys became hostile before in introduction of competition – presence of another group enough to bring prejudice

😔– Jane Elliott argues me presence of group creates prejudice – suggesting realistic conflict theory is not complete theory – creating two groups (blue eyes and brown eyes) created prejudice

Strengths and shortcomings

Reductionist – does not take into account individual differences – some people not prejudice and would not respond to pressure of resources

Nature versus nurture – only considers nurture as it focuses on environment as an explanation for prejudice

Psychology as a science – realistic conflict theory has supporting imperial evidence from sheriff Roberts Cave Experiment – theory is falsified as we can test if using operationalised hypothesis –add credibility

Alternative

Tajfel and Turner- Suggested competition is not necessary for prejudice – social identity theory may be better explanation of prejudice when no apparent competition over limited resources exist exists – homophobia by some heterosexual