Cooperation & Competition in Group Dynamics (DP IB Psychology)

Realistic Conflict Theory

• Group Dynamics is a term which refers to the ways in which a group operates:

  • the (written or unwritten) rules which govern/influence how the group functions

  • the roles of the group members and the ways in which the group communicates and interacts

  • the ways in which the group relates to other groups e.g. do they have a hostile, welcoming, competitive, wary attitude towards others?

• Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT) was suggested by Sherif (1966) based on a series of (controversial) experiments he conducted 

• RCT is strongly linked to ingroups and outgroups (see the sociocultural topic of social identity theory) as it hinges on:

  • the idea that if resources are scarce (e.g. one clean water source) then each group will compete to achieve that goal = realistic intergroup conflict

  • the idea that if both groups share a superordinate goal (e.g. to find a clean water source) then they are likely to work together (known as interdependence) = cooperation

• One of the results of intergroup conflict is prejudice which will be covered in the next revision note

Intrinsic Motivation

• Intrinsic motivation refers to any behaviour that comes from an internal source and which has a specific, non-reward-based goal, for example:

  • Jayne and Chris want to improve their ice dancing for the sheer sense of achievement that it gives them

  • Mahatma wants to spread peace and love amongst people as he feels that this will mean that he has done his duty to humankind

  • Sigmund wants to improve his grade in IB Psychology just to prove to himself that he can 

• The inherent satisfaction that comes from achieving a goal is enough for people who are intrinsically motivated:

  • They see activities, tasks or projects as an opportunity to learn, to explore, to enjoy the process

• Intrinsic motivation can be applied to group dynamics in terms of:

  • The desire to cooperate with others as this will bring the best reward for all concerned

  • The rewards of cooperation do not necessarily have to be material:

    • The rewards can be in the form of better relationships

    • The rewards can be in the form of increased self-esteem

    • The rewards can be in the form of a more efficiently-run system or a society in which it is more pleasant to live

• Extrinsic motivation (he opposite to intrinsic motivation) refers to any behaviour that comes from an external source and which has a specific, reward-based goal, for example:

  • Jayne and Chris want to improve their ice dancing so that they can win gold at the Olympics

  • Mahatma wants to spread peace and love amongst people as he wants to be seen as a great spiritual leader

  • Sigmund wants to improve his grade in IB Psychology so that he can get into a top university

Research which investigates the role of cooperation & competition in group dynamics

• Sherif et al.  (1961): the ‘Robber’s Cave’ study and RCT 

• Tauer & Harackiewicz (2004): intrinsic motivation and sport

Sherif et al. (1961) and Tauer & Harackiewicz (2004) are available as ‘Two Key Studies of The Role of Cooperation & Competition in Group Dynamics’ – just navigate the Group Dynamics section to find them.