Group conflict arises from both genuine interest clashes and symbolic differences.

Evidence

Allport noted that group relations may be realistically competitive in two respects. First, demands for resources often exceed their supply. For example, the number of people seeking employment may be greater than the number of jobs available. Although in such a case the competition actually exists between individual rivals for jobs, these individuals may nonetheless perceive the competition to be at an intergroup level. Thus, Allport described realistic group conflict as reflecting the common perception that competition for resources involves group identities and has collective consequences. Second, Allport also considered competitive relations between groups to be realistic when the competition involves less tangible qualities, such as religious or political belief systems. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1476 (#corroborates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Asian internal conflicts spring from contests over legitimacy, identity, state building, and distributive justice. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 494; Real intergroup conflicts become magnified by layered-on prejudice distinct from their cause. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1475; Group conflicts serve distinction and cohesion; doctrinal content is interchangeable — Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks, 1454 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Realistic group conflict involves both material scarcity and competing belief systems. #corroborates (0.95)
• Realistic group conflict includes competition over belief systems, not just resources #corroborates (0.92) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1476