Cooperation & Competition in Group Dynamics (DP IB Psychology)

Revision Note

Claire Neeson

Last updated

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.

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Claire Neeson

Author: Claire Neeson

Expertise: Psychology Content Creator

Claire has been teaching for 34 years, in the UK and overseas. She has taught GCSE, A-level and IB Psychology which has been a lot of fun and extremely exhausting! Claire is now a freelance Psychology teacher and content creator, producing textbooks, revision notes and (hopefully) exciting and interactive teaching materials for use in the classroom and for exam prep. Her passion (apart from Psychology of course) is roller skating and when she is not working (or watching 'Coronation Street') she can be found busting some impressive moves on her local roller rink.