Tribalism

Realistic conflict theory (RCT)

Robbers Cave study Findings

  • hostile and aggressive attitudes toward an outgroup arise when groups compete for resources that only one group can attain.
  • contact with an outgroup is insufficient, by itself, to reduce negative attitudes.
  • friction between groups can be reduced and positive intergroup relations can be maintained, only in the presence of superordinate goals that promote united, cooperative action.

The experiment was repeated with 18 boys from Beirut. The 'Blue Ghost' and 'Red Genies' groups each contained 5 Christians and 4 Muslims. Fighting soon broke out, not between the Christians and Muslims but between the Red and Blue groups.