Social Psychology - Realistic Conflict Theory and Robbers Cave Experiment

Realistic Conflict Theory (Sherif, 1966)

  • Intergroup conflict arises from competition for limited resources.

  • Competition leads to hostility, negative attitudes, prejudice, and discrimination.

  • In-group solidarity increases.

  • Prejudice can be reduced by establishing superordinate goals requiring cooperation.

Key Features:

  • Competition magnifies differences between groups.

  • Negative interdependence: Only one group can reach a goal, creating conflict.

  • Superordinate goals require cooperation and benefit both groups.

  • Positive interdependence: Neither group can succeed without the other.

Evidence:

  • Ember and Ember (1992): Intergroup hostility increases with competition for resources.

  • Hovland and Sears (1940): Negative correlation between cotton prices and lynchings (-0.72).

  • Dollard (1938): Prejudice increases with job scarcity.

Strengths:

  • Supported by the Robber's Cave study.

  • Empirical research supports RCT.

Weaknesses:

  • Social Identity Theory offers an alternative explanation.

  • Ethical concerns: Theory could be manipulated to create prejudice.

  • Reductionist: Ignores biological factors.

Application:

  • Explains prejudice and discrimination in real-life scenarios.

The Robbers Cave Experiment (Sherif et al, 1961)

  • Aim: To examine intergroup relations, in-group behavior, and hostility toward out-groups; to study if superordinate goals can overcome prejudice.

  • Participants: 22 male participants aged 11 – 12 years old.

  • Methodology: Field experiment in a Boy Scouts Camp.

  • Experimental Design: Matched pairs design

Procedure:

  • Stage 1: In-group formation (Rattlers and Eagles).

  • Stage 2: Inter-group friction through competition.

  • Stage 3: Inter-group integration via superordinate goals.

Results:

  • Friendships: Increase in out-group friendships by stage 3.

  • Qualitative: Shift from negative to more positive perceptions of the out-group.

Conclusion:

  • Competition for limited resources leads to prejudice.

  • Cooperation towards superordinate goals reduces hostility.

Evaluation:

  • Generalisability: Limited sample (androcentric, ethnocentric).

  • Reliability: Field experiment lacks standardized procedures.

  • Application: Explains real-world in-group/out-group prejudice.

  • Validity: High ecological and task validity.

  • Ethics: Deception, presumptive consent.