Conflicts could happen in our everyday life and these conflicts can be damaging to almost any of our relationships. When conflicts moved onto a larger stage, the damage caused could be increased by multiples.
There are many ways inter group conflict can develop, and one of it is the social identity theory. This theory suggest that people want to have a positive identity for themselves and their group. To achieve this, one group might assume a higher position and look down on others. At times, negative stereotypes can be developed.
Lets start from smaller things. In school, students will find friends that they get along better with and form cliques. It is very common to have one or a few popular cliques and they are often included in cliques conflict. In my personal experience, I have a stereotype that girls in the popular cliques are pretty, bitchy, flirty and dumb. We know that there are exceptions and yet, gossips about them are available readily. Conflicts between other cliques and them are extremely hot. For instance, the popular group call other groups silly names and although there could be no fights, there is already resentment.
When it comes to inter school competition, all of the clique issues will suddenly seemed less important. When I was participating in the Singapore Youth Festival, the atmosphere between schools can be intense, especially when the participating schools on the same day were strong. Unlike the clique issues, we are clear that the other schools are better then us for the past years and the chance that we might surpass them is very minimal. Unconsciously, high morale was developed and everyone worked really hard for it. Later on, despite the strength differences, we told ourselves that we are a hardworking band and is extraordinary close to everyone. In the end, we still fail to surpass others but achieve what we aimed for.
The conflicts between countries can include many people and sometimes caused many fatalities. For instance, the conflict between Malaysia and Singapore has been carrying on for many years. Singapore assumes the higher position by comparing the gross domestic product per capital, the area development, illiterate rates, technology advancement and many more. Malaysia also feel that Singapore is dependent on many of the Malaysia's exports including water, vegetables, poultry and etc. Basing on each of their own comparing factors, that country is indeed better. However, we all know that each country has its own strength.
All the examples I've given above depicts how groups of different sizes develops conflict using social identity theory. These conflicts have not heighten and there are many other reasons for that. Small conflicts can also be good at times, it'll push us to improve into someone better.
2 comments:
I guess the part on school cliques, conflicts hardly come by if we do not have something in common. Even if it's for studies, i guess all of us know that helping each other will benefit us. As for gossiping, i believe that we tend to keep it to ourselves due to the culture we have and we often don't want a bad portrayal of ourselves.
:D Ylee
Conflicts take place when two or more opposing parties share ththe same interest and do not want to share it with others. The interesting thing is that previously rival groups can join hands and work side by side in the face of a greater enemy. I think that is what we call LOVE.
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