Goal-oriented intergroup conflict differs sharply from aimless hostility release

Evidence

In addition, realistic group conflict is distinguished from “nonrealistic” conflict in that it is directed toward achieving some group-interested outcome (Coser, 1956, pp. 48–55). It is goal-oriented, whereas nonrealistic conflict involves a nonspecific release of hostility or aggressive psychological impulses. Where dispute is focused on a delimited issue or set of issues concerned with the distribution of power, wealth, or status between social groups, and involves clearly defined groups with differing objectives, there is realistic conflict. Disputes lacking these features, especially those lacking a concern with the rival objectives of the conflict groups, are nonrealistic. Although cognitive processes and intergroup affective orientations enter into both types of conflict, nonrealistic conflict is largely reducible to nonrational psychological impulses. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 3346

Categorization

• DEFINE: A clean conceptual distinction between realistic and nonrealistic conflict that could ground analysis of modern polarization and culture wars.
• SEED: Article angle: mapping the culture wars onto the realistic/nonrealistic distinction as a way to diagnose whether contemporary conflicts actually have group-interested stakes or are largely expressive discharge.
• XREF: connects to: Naming a goal transforms an open-ended grievance struggle into a final objective — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 354