Realistic Group Conflict Theory a Review and Evaluation of the Theoretical and Empirical Literature
Realistic Group Conflict Theory Definition
Between the borders of Pakistan and India lies a fertile valley known as Kashmir. Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought iii wars over this valuable territory. Unfortunately, the wars have contributed to hostilities and prejudice experienced by people on both sides. These tensions can exist described by the realistic group conflict theory (RGCT). RGCT is a well-established theory with robust research support from both laboratory and field studies. It is used to understand many of the local and global intergroup conflicts that besiege the world. That a solution to terminate conflict is incorporated inside this theory makes it i of the well-nigh applicable and compelling social psychological theories existing today.
This theory emerged in the 1960s to draw how perceived competition for limited resources can lead to hostility between groups. Unlike theories that apply psychological factors such as personality or value differences to explain conflict and prejudice, RGCT focuses on situational forces outside the self. When valuable resources are perceived to be abundant, then groups cooperate and exist in harmony. However, if valuable resources are perceived equally scarce (regardless of whether they truly are), then these groups enter into competition and animosity ensues between them. The resources in question tin be physical (such as state, food, or water) or psychological (such as status, prestige, or power).
RGCT is unique because it does non discuss whatsoever personal features of the individuals engaged in the conflict. Other psychological theories employ personality factors (such as authoritarianism) or ideologies (such as social authority orientation) to explain why these hostilities exist. In RGCT, if individuals in a group believe that the two groups share a nil-sums fate, meaning that the other group'due south success feels similar a failure or loss for one'southward own group, then no thing what outside group members say or exercise, feelings of resentment and discriminatory behavior volition result. As the disharmonize unfolds, the members of each grouping volition close ranks with their fellow members and will come to believe that their fate is connected with each other.
Realistic Grouping Conflict Theory Archetype Study
Muzafer Sherif's Robbers Cavern experiment is a sit-in of this theory. Sherif is credited as 1 of the most important social psychologists of his time. With his colleagues, he fix a 2-calendar week experiment involving White, center-course, 12-year-former boys at a summer military camp. At beginning, the boys interacted only with their ain group members because Sherif wanted them to develop a sense of group identity. The boys did develop a grouping identity and called themselves the Eagles or the Rattlers. In the second phase of the study, the boys were introduced to the other group and were required to engage in a series of competitive activities. Rewards and prizes were handed out to the winning team. Sherif and his colleagues purposely prepare these games and rewards so that the boys would have reason to compete intensely. During these fierce competitions, both groups became suspicious of and hostile toward i another. As tensions increased, the boys demonstrated fidelity to their group by discouraging one another from establishing friendships across grouping lines. No 1 wanted to be seen as a traitor, and then the boys stuck to their own groups. Hostility increased to the betoken that physical fights and acts of vandalism broke out. Despite direct interventions by adults, the two groups could not seem to reconcile.
Unity was restored but when Sherif and colleagues created situations requiring both groups of boys to depend on each other to accomplish of import goals equally valued past both groups. In other words, harmony was restored when both groups were equally invested in achieving a goal that required everyone's aid and cooperation. For case, Sherif ready a state of affairs in which a truck carrying their food supply broke downwards and the aid of all the boys was needed to bring the food to military camp. Afterward completing a series of such tasks requiring interaction and anybody'south involvement, positive behavior toward the other group members increased. The boys began to behave more similar individuals rather than grouping members and formed friendships across group lines. Psychologically, they began equally two distinct groups, but when the perception of threat was replaced by cooperation and interdependence, the groups reestablished themselves as one large group. Therefore, the group distinctions made between Eagles and Rattlers disappeared and everyone felt as if they belonged to the same group.
Research Back up for Realistic Grouping Disharmonize Theory
RGCT has received support from both psychological and sociological studies. For example, RGCT has been used to explain Whites' opposition to civil rights policies for Blacks. This research indicates that for some Whites, losing sure privileges is at the root of their resistance to racial policies rather than a dislike for Blacks. There has likewise been cross-cultural research using RGCT to clarify conflict between dissimilar ethnic and religious groups of people. These studies testify that violence betwixt dissimilar groups will escalate in societies experiencing shortages in vital resource. Research has shown that competition can pb to hostile behaviors in children, adolescents, and adults akin.
Reference:
- Jackson, J. (1993). Realistic group conflict theory: A review and evaluation of the theoretical and empirical literature. Psychological Tape, 43, 395-413.
Source: http://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/social-psychology-theories/realistic-group-conflict-theory/
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