Realistic Conflict Research Articles

Us or them: How COVID‐19 vaccine priority influences perceptions of local‐migrant worker relations

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic laid bare pre‐existing societal fault lines, placing immense strain on intergroup relations and giving rise to xenophobic sentiments. Drawing on Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT) and Social Identity Approach (SIA), our study examined how the public allocation of COVID‐19 variant vaccines could influence the dynamics between local citizens and migrant workers, and under what conditions. One key idea is that valued resource distribution that favour migrant workers may produce increased perceptions of realistic threats among local citizens which could lead to exacerbated negative attitudes and behaviours of high‐status local citizens towards low‐status migrants, whereas higher fairness perceptions of such resource distributions could potentially mitigate these negative attitudes and behaviours. To investigate these predictions, we employed a cross‐cultural approach and conducted an experiment in both an Asian country (Malaysia; N = 197) and a Western country (Australia; N = 210). We manipulated vaccine prioritisation, assessed local citizens' perceptions of the realistic threat and fairness of vaccine prioritisation, and measured their attitudinal responses towards migrant workers. Our results showed that the perceived unfairness in migrant‐favouring vaccine prioritisation, rather than realistic threat, negatively affected local citizens' perceptions of the migrant workers. We discuss the implications of these findings in the context of intergroup relations.

Addressing anti-Gypsyism with context-dependent psychological tools: Research review, meta-analysis and secondary analysis of prejudice against the Roma

ABSTRACT Anti-Gypsyism is a deeply entrenched form of ethnic bias in Europe, characterised by realistic conflict perceptions, social norms approving bias, unacknowledged historical victimisation, and denial of cultural autonomy. Mainstream prejudice reduction interventions may have limited applicability to anti-Gypsyism, because prejudice is normative, hence people are not motivated to change their views; interventions focusing on increased liking, but not competence perception consolidate status differences; stereotypes are resistant to change because of the overlap with low SES stereotypes and assimilation of counter-stereotypical members. With the help of a meta-analysis with 169 effect sizes from 18 countries in 14 languages we showed that contact frequency was indeed only associated with affective (liking), but not cognitive and behavioural prejudice. However, we found the expected negative association between positive contact and prejudice. Eurobarometer data also showed the salience of counter-normative experiences, as friendships had a stronger impact in countries with higher overall means of anti-Gypsyism.

Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and the African Continental Free Trade Area

Abstract Article 4 of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, provides against the discrimination of nationals of state parties to the treaty based on their sex. The discrimination against women extends to stereotypes that often put them at risk in other countries where they might be domiciled. And this is further worsened by the fact that many of these women are not informed about their rights. The study would focus on the issues that result from the discrimination against women in Africa and how this would impact women’s economic capacity to trade within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This research engaged the doctrinal approach and the Realistic Conflict Theory. Content analysis was done on the Agreement Establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area Protocol on Trade and Services, the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, institutional reports, and journal articles. This study concluded on the opportunities that the inclusive approach of the AfCFTA could bring, if states could leverage on the AfCFTA through states mechanisms to provide equitable means for women to thrive in an export sector, culturally inclined to constrain gender inclusion.

Концептуализация феномена негативной идентичности

This article provides a systematic analysis of research devoted to the study of various aspects of social identity in order to determine the theoretical framework for studying the phenomenon of negative identity within the framework of sociology. The following theories are considered: social identity, realistic conflict of identity uncer-tainty. The theory of social identity constitutes a conceptual model elucidating how individuals define their iden-tities through affiliation with social groups, emphasizing the significance of social categories and stereotypes in identity formation. The theory of realistic conflict offers an approach to analyzing conflicts based on the prem-ise that they arise from struggles for material, “realistic” values and resources, even when groups are nominally divided. The theory of identity uncertainty, in turn, focuses on situations wherein individuals encounter difficul-ties in defining their identities, encompassing the concept of “entitativeness” within its scope. In synthesizing these theoretical perspectives, this article offers a comprehensive framework for understanding the multifacet-ed nature of negative identity within sociological discourse. By elucidating the underlying mechanisms and contextual factors shaping negative identity formation, scholars can advance theoretical and empirical inquiries into this complex phenomenon.

Analysis of Media Influence on Military Decision-Making

Information warfare challenges, including the "CNN Effect," are increasing in quantity and complexity as the internet saturates modern life. Media communications, reliable or not, are constantly injected into American life, affecting opinions, decision-making, and actions—which may result in terrifying and permanent consequences when the media influences military members and government leaders. This research focuses on the immersive learning environment—an engaging, simulation-based educational experience with realistic conflict scenarios where students apply lesson objectives through hands-on activities. Instructors conduct immersive learning in the US Air Force Academy's (USAFA) Multi-Domain Laboratory. Traditionally, students were taught military strategy in a classroom where they engaged in wargaming by rolling dice using a board game. Now, the Military & Strategic Studies (MSS) Department uses hands-on, real-time wargaming with unique hardware and software to teach future leaders how to apply classroom concepts using experiential learning. Wargames are critical for meeting the priorities of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—specifically, preparing leaders to conduct joint operations in all domains by integrating experiential learning. The guidance explains that "curricula should leverage live, virtual, constructive, and gaming methodologies with wargames… to develop deeper insight and ingenuity." The wargame with media provides external influences like news and information from various sources, which may influence students' decision-making process, resulting in "The CNN Effect." "The CNN Effect" is a short-hand way to explain how news reports drive government leaders' responses, including military decision-making. This project builds upon existing research uniquely because this study examines decision-making from multiple leaders based on the same simulated media in USAFA's immersive learning environment. This research uses mixed methods analysis to explore how students act based on the wargame media inputs and compare course outcome differences after receiving enhanced Information Operations education or when exposed to different quantities of broadcasts. The Information Warfare (news literacy) module enhances education on the media's influence on decision-making and trust for students. Students learned to identify and research information sources, analyze biases, opinion versus fact-based reporting, and compare news reports from various outlets.

Individual change in rejection of equal opportunities for foreigners among adolescents and young adults in Switzerland: Testing realistic conflict theory from a dynamic perspective.

This study's objective is to test one of the key theoretical orientations in the literature on intergroup relations, realistic conflict theory, from a dynamic perspective. In this study, we focus on adolescents who are, according to the 'impressionable years'-hypothesis, most likely to change in their rejection of equal opportunities. Realistic conflict theory is applied in a dynamic way by taking into account economic characteristics related to the adolescent and the household. We employ Swiss panel data covering the period 1999-2017, containing information of both adolescents and the household they live in. Results demonstrate that there is relatively little variation within adolescents in rejection of equal opportunities for foreigners. Despite of using a broad range of characteristics related to adolescents' as well as the household's economic situation, the changes that do occur within individuals could hardly be explained by those economic changes. Socialisation theories on direct parental influences appeared to better explain changes in rejection of equal opportunities.

Reflections on the Robbers Cave Experiment: Finding Lessons on Political Conflict, Racism, Xenophobia, and Business Environments

The Robbers Cave Experiment in the mid-1950s by Muzafer Sherif and his colleagues advanced the realistic conflict theory, whose main premise is that conflict is inevitable whenever two (or more) in-groups are brought together in mutual competition for scarce resources. This conflict is driven by prejudice and discrimination, and may take on various forms of hostilities and aggressions towards a competing out-group. However, a resolution of the conflict is possible when the two (or more) competing in-groups are forced to work together to attain mutually beneficial superordinate goals. Whereas the Robbers Cave Experiment suffers from serious questions of ethics and confirmation bias, the lessons that draw from the tested hypotheses have remained germane to the understanding of realistic conflict theory. In this study, the author seeks to reflect on this (in)famous experiment and draw poignant comparisons and lessons as they relate to some contemporary examples in political conflicts, racism, xenophobia, business workplaces, and mergers and acquisitions. The author repeatedly acknowledges the blurring influence of the criticisms of the experiment on the clarity of these reflections.

Konflik Sosial Dalam Novel Rembulan Tenggelam Di Wajahmu Karya Tere Liye: Kajian Sosiologi Sastra

This research uses the literary object of the novel entitled Rembulan Tenggelam di Wajahmu by Tere Liye. This research is motivated by several social conflicts that usually occur in society, both those that are going through and that have already been passed. The formulation of the problem in this research is how social conflict is in the novel Rembulan Tenggelam di Wajahmu by Tere Liye. The social conflicts in the novel include realistic conflicts, non-realistic conflicts and the positive function of social conflict. The aim of this research is to describe the social conflict in the novel Rembulan Tenggelam di Wajahmu by Tere Liye. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method with a literary sociology approach through Lewis A. Coser's social conflict theory which is used to discover social conflict. The data collection technique in this research uses documentation techniques. Based on the research results, it can be concluded that there is an analysis of social conflict in the novel Rembulan Tenggelam di Wajahmu by Tere Liye: A Sociological Study of Literature which consists of 1) The concept of social conflict of the characters in the form of realistic conflict with elements of Hostile feeling and Hostile behavior and non-realistic conflicts are dominated by realistic conflicts because the conflicts in the novel mostly occur between two people and without the element of revenge.

Individual and institutional discrimination: Theoretical and methodological contributions of social psychology

In France, as in many other countries, research has established the existence of origin-based discrimination. Where does this racial or ethnic discrimination come from, and why does it seem to last despite efforts to eradicate it? This article outlines the main findings on the issue in social psychology, whose contribution is still largely ignored in France. First, I describe the intergroup approach by discussing three major theories of intergroup relations developed in social psychology: realistic conflict theory, social identity theory, and social dominance theory. These theories have spurred much research, mostly about stereotyping and prejudice, but more rarely about discriminatory behavior. The reason for this neglect is that it is difficult to measure discriminatory behavior in a laboratory. In the second section, I present an experimental procedure inspired by social dominance theory, which aimed precisely at measuring discrimination. The first results obtained with this method are promising. The objective, in this case, was to measure individual discriminatory behaviors. However, discrimination and racism are not limited to individual attitudes or behaviors. In the third and final section on institutional discrimination, I show how social dominance theory and research developed in the United States to measure unintended racist bias provide an original and novel approach for understanding the contemporary manifestations of institutional discrimination. The findings of a series of studies conducted in France using different methods appear to be theoretically consistent with those obtained in the United States.

When Groups of Different Sizes Collide: Effects of Targeted Verbal Aggression on Intragroup Functioning

When competing for scarce resources, groups can behave aggressively toward one another. Realistic conflict theory suggests that intergroup hostility internally ties groups together, thus improving intragroup functioning. In contrast, conflict spillover theory suggests that aggressive behaviors between groups can permeate to the intragroup level and thus worsen intragroup functioning. We reconcile these two opposite perspectives by introducing the relative group size as a moderator that determines when and how targeted verbal aggression from one group harms or improves intragroup functioning in the targeted group. We tested our hypotheses using a sample of in-situ observations of transcribed plenary discussions in the German national parliament and compared intergroup targeted verbal aggression by distinguishing targeted verbal aggression from two social groups (i.e., a new populist smaller party vs. a larger group of veteran parliament members). We measured targeted verbal aggression as a form of hostile intergroup behavior from each social group using computerized text analyses. We analyzed intragroup functioning using a measure of verbal mimicry. Our results show support for our hypotheses. We discuss theoretical and practical implications for the verbal aggression and intergroup relations literature.

From Realistic Conflict to Relative Deprivation: Rethinking the Psychology of Modern Antisemitism

This essay traces the recent critique of realistic conflict theory as it pertains to the study of antisemitism. In doing so, it will provide an overview of the arguments comprising the debate, outline the ways in which these arguments depend on specific psychological notions, and question whether the notions involved provide sufficient depth and detail to account for antisemitic behavior. The aim of this article is two-fold. First, it seeks to demonstrate that realistic conflict theory relies on psychological premises, in this case assumptions that approximate what social psychologists call social inference theory. Since realistic conflict theory relies so heavily on social inference, it is difficult to address "real conflict" without at the same time invoking long-term prejudice. Second, the article suggests that relative deprivation theory may contribute to the field of antisemitism studies by bridging the epistemological gap between "realistic conflict" and "psychological fantasy," demonstrating how "objective" change occasions conflicting feelings of entitlement and equally conflicting perceptions of social justice.

COVID-19 bailout nationalism: a predicament in saving small immigrant-owned businesses in South Africa

The small business sector has been identified as an essential component of the global economy, especially in developing economies, where it plays a significant role in addressing job creation and poverty. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant lockdown restrictions have brought untold devastation to the sector forcing many out of operation, crippling business operations and financial viability. We seek to identify the role and impact of government relief measures in helping immigrant-owned businesses in South Africa to deal with the impact of the pandemic on their businesses. Primary data was collected using an electronic questionnaire administered to 260 foreign business owners in South Africa. The data was cleaned and statistically analysed using IBM SPSS version 27. We interpreted and discussed the results using the realistic conflict theory. Though a vast majority of the businesses (89%) reported that the pandemic had a very severe impact on their financial sustainability and liquidity, none of them reported that they benefitted from any of the South African government business support packages during the pandemic.

Collective Silence: Internet Communication and Sexuality Education Development Realistic Conflict and Solution Exploration

Collective Silence: Internet Communication and Sexuality Education Development Realistic Conflict and Solution Exploration

Mitigating Intergroup Conflict: Effectiveness of Qualifying Subjective Justice Views as an Intervention Technique in Comparison to Empathy Induction

Intergroup conflicts can be triggered and perpetuated by collective perceptions of injustice. In two experiments, we applied the qualifying of subjective justice views, a justice-focused intervention initially introduced to resolve interpersonal conflicts, and evaluated whether it can mitigate intergroup conflicts. This intervention included explicating opposing justice perceptions, explaining the dilemma structure of justice conflicts, and emphasizing that each conflict party applies different justice standards in different situations. In a realistic conflict setting, among advantaged group members, the intervention enhanced the willingness to pay monetary concessions to the out-group. This effect was mediated through an enhanced understanding of the justice dilemma (Study 2) and legitimacy judgments of the out-group’s justice claim (Studies 1 and 2). Furthermore, effects of the justice-focused intervention were compared to those of empathy induction as a benchmark to evaluate the effectiveness. The comparison provided additional evidence for the effectiveness of the justice-focused intervention to mitigate intergroup conflicts.

A Panel Study of Attitudes toward Ethnic Minorities and the Role of Changes in Individuals’ Economic Situations

Abstract This study applies the dynamic perspective of realistic conflict theory to assess whether and the extent that individuals’ negative attitudes toward ethnic minorities changed and were linked to changes in individuals’ economic situations. Employing Dutch panel data, we found that negative attitudes toward ethnic minorities were remarkably stable. Differences in attitudes toward ethnic minorities were more pronounced between individuals than within individuals. The small changes that did occur over the 10-year study period were hardly explained by economic characteristics. Only increased individual dissatisfaction with the national financial situation was associated with more negative attitudes. These results cast doubt on whether attitudes toward ethnic minorities are susceptible to change and raise questions about realistic conflict theory’s relevance in explaining attitudinal change.

Female academics’ views on work-life conflict in a Covid-19 global pandemic in Nigeria

Remarking on the importance of managing the existential conflict between work and family responsibilities, emphasis on female academics in a COVID-19 era in Nigeria has received diminutive research attention. The study seeks to address this research gap by interrogating women's views of work-life conflict narrative in a COVID-19 era. The exploratory research design was employed to expand the limit of the research gap and a total of 19 female academics were y recruited for interviews. The NVivo (v.12) qualitative software was employed to identify themes from the data and content analysis used to make sense of the various themes. The paper shows evidence of cultural bias in the recruitment and placement of female academics with social constraints hindering female academic capacity development. The long hours of teaching and consultation depict an indicator of work-life conflict with consequences on family support and emotional care for family and dependents. The need to acquire higher education qualifications on the part of females is also established as a pointer for the provocation of work-life conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. The significance of lockdown constitutes major constraints for parenting mothers in the areas of combining home front responsibilities with work activities such as teaching, supervision, and the requirement of building a competitive career and research portfolio. The study concludes for a more robust measure in ensuring practical and realistic work-life conflict management strategies are introduced by managers of the University in order to aid the conflict between work and family responsibilities for female academics.

Fear or Competition? Antecedents to U.S. Business Student Immigration Attitudes

Immigration is an important and contemporary topic in management education given its impact on labor, wages, innovation, and diversity. However, extant research offers few insights into the antecedents to student immigration attitudes. Survey data from undergraduate students taking business courses at two large public universities in the southeast U.S. reveal that while student attitudes toward immigration are more moderate than the general U.S. population, these attitudes differ by gender, political affiliation, and immigration background. Following realistic conflict theory and social identity theory, these student immigration attitudes are a function of both fear and competition. First, their attitudes are confounded by conflicting antecedents in perceived personal competition for resources with immigrants (e.g., jobs, wages) versus immigration benefits (e.g., costs, labor base, innovation). Second, xenophobia (fear of immigrants) is a remarkably powerful influencer of one’s immigration attitude and its antecedents. With these points, management educators must engage students in critical thinking about immigration to prepare them to effectively work with diverse colleagues and business partners while leading global organizations. We, therefore, present four cross-disciplinary areas of intersection between immigration and management education, including diversity and cultural intelligence, human resource management and ethics, entrepreneurship and innovation, and finally, economic and socioeconomic impacts.

Diversity and consumer dispositions towards foreign countries in an emerging market

PurposeThe current study builds on social identity theory and realistic conflict theory aims to identify the relationships amongst consumers' ethnocentrism, animosity, discomfort with differences – a factor of universal-diverse orientation (UDO) – and reluctance to purchase German (RELG) and French automobiles (RELF) in the Turkish automobile market which is dominated by foreign brands.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical data were collected via face-to-face surveys from 400 respondents in the emerging market Turkey. Structural equation modelling was employed to examine the direct and indirect effects between the variables.FindingsThe main predictors of the RELG are consumer ethnocentrism, discomfort with differences and economic animosity towards Germany, respectively. Furthermore, RELF in the Turkish market is positively affected by consumer ethnocentrism, war animosity towards France and discomfort with differences, respectively. Discomfort with differences mediates the relationship between consumer ethnocentrism and RELG and RELF.Practical implicationsInternational collaborations with local manufacturers have huge strategic impacts when establishing reliable relationships with Turkish consumers. Foreign companies can initiate socially responsible projects that will relay the message of similarities between cultures to decrease perceived cultural differences. Highlighting the similarities of Turkish consumers with a foreign company in promotional campaigns will be much beneficial.Originality/valueDespite there are many studies regarding antecedents and consequences of consumer ethnocentrism, extant research overlooks the effect of animosity on this concept. Additionally, studies examining UDO in the marketing literature are scarce. This paper integrates UDO, consumer ethnocentrism, animosity and reluctance to purchase foreign products in one study.

Causes and Prevention of Crimes of Resisting Epidemic Prevention and Control Measures—from the Perspective of Social Conflict Theory

By studying the social conflict theories of Lewis Coser, Ralf G. Dahrendorf and Randall Collins, this paper analyzes the data distribution and specific cases of violent crimes of resisting epidemic prevention and control measures from three aspects of conflict intensity, realistic conflict and unrealistic conflict, and inter role conflict, and explores the causes of such crimes. In order to reduce and prevent the occurrence of this kind of crime, some countermeasures such as the effective sanctions, the feasible communication channels and the strengthening of civic awareness are put forward.

Reframing Xenophobia in South Africa as Colour-Blind: The Limits of the Afro Phobia Thesis

Many scholars and South African politicians characterize the widespread anti-foreigner sentiment and violence in South Africa as dislike against migrants and refugees of African origin which they named ‘Afro-phobia’. Drawing on online newspaper reports and academic sources, this paper rejects the Afro-phobia thesis and argues that other non-African migrants such as Asians (Pakistanis, Indians, Bangladeshis and Chinese) are also on the receiving end of xenophobia in post-apartheid South Africa. I contend that any ‘outsider’ (White, Asian or Black African) who lives and trades in South African townships and informal settlements is scapegoated and attacked. I term this phenomenon ‘colour-blind xenophobia’. By proposing this analytical framework and integrating two theoretical perspectives — proximity-based ‘Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)’ and Neocosmos’ exclusivist citizenship model — I contend that xenophobia in South Africa targets those who are in close proximity to disadvantaged Black South Africans and who are deemed outsiders (e.g., Asian, African even White residents and traders) and reject arguments that describe xenophobia in South Africa as targeting Black African refugees and migrants.