Realistic Conflict Theory Mustafer Sherif

1. Realistic Conflict TheoryMustafer Sherif Social Psychology

2. Mustafa Sherif& Realistic Conflict Theory • Developed by Sherif (1966) this theory argues that intergroup conflict arises as a result of conflict of real or imagined interests between groups.  • For example when two groups want to achieve the same goal but cannot have it, hostility is produced between them. • When there is limited resources, then this leads to conflict, prejudice and discrimination between groups who seek that common resource. • Once hostility has been aroused, it is very difficult to return to normal relations and an ongoing feud can arise

3. Main Proposition • Group members’ behaviour and attitudes will tend to reflect the objective interests of groups against other groups.

4. The Robbers Cave Experiment • Muzafer Sherif divided a Boy Scout camp into two groups, the Eagles and the Rattlers. After helping the groups to each become cohesive, he introduced competitive games and other conflicts. Before long, a full-scale riot was in progress and the researchers had to work hard at mediation to defuse the situation.

5. Coal Miner’s Strike “ We’ve always been brought up to respect policemen but I’ve got no respect for any of them now. There was a time when if I saw a policeman have a hammering I’d go and help him. I’d walk past and spit in his eye now”

6. Intergroup Contact • Intergroup contact has been seen as a method of improving intergroup relations since the 1950’s. We have witnessed racial desegregation in America and in areas of political conflict such as Northern Ireland the use of contact between groups has been used as a tool to improve community relations. • Sherif (1966, p.88) reports ‘Far from reducing conflict , these situations served as occasions for rival groups to berate and attack each other.’

7. Intergroup Co-operation & Superordinate Goals Sherif’s Superordinated Goals: Reasoning that it was common goals that led to the formation of the groups initially, the researchers thought that the introduction of goals that were common to both groups – superordinate goals – might be effective in uniting the two groups. This time, they were right. "

8. Sherif • Crisis Brings the Groups Together"The experimenters arranged for a series of emergencies. For instance, the water supply broke down, and the boys had to work jointly if they wanted to have water to drink.

9. The Outcome • After a number of such events, group hostility was eventually reduced, friendships developed across group lines, and the superordinate goals became effective in unifying the previously hostile groups."