Fun Fact: Imagine being part of your school's sports team, and you're competing for the only trophy in an inter-school tournament. Your team's success means another team's loss. The atmosphere intensifies, emotions heat up, and rivalries are born! Doesn't this sound just like the Realistic Group Conflict Theory? Keep reading, and you'll see!

The Realistic Group Conflict Theory (RGCT), put forth by Campbell in 1965, explores why groups often clash. It's like a match between two school sports teams. When both teams aim for the same trophy (limited resource) and their goals clash (like scoring the highest points), tension builds up! This clash of goals creates conflict and, in the heat of the competition, teams may develop an "us vs. them" mindset, encouraging stereotypes and discrimination against the rival team.

But what if, instead of competing, both teams had to work together to achieve a common goal, say, organizing a successful sports event? RGCT suggests that cooperation towards a 'superordinate' or mutual goal can help reduce conflict and stereotyping. Remember, teamwork makes the dream work!

Think of Sherif's classic research as a reality TV show where groups compete for limited resources and then work together, showing us RGCT in action!