An Assessment of the Functionality of the Superordinate Goal in Reducing Conflict

THIS ANALYSIS SUGGESTS THAT THE SUPERORDINATE GOALS RETARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF FELT CONFLICT EVEN IF THE FRUSTRATING ANTECEDENT CONDITIONS REMAIN. ALSO, ALTHOUGH A NON ACHIEVED SUPERORDINATE GOAL DOES NOT REDUCE, OR EVEN RETARD, THE DEVELOPMENT OF FELT CONFLICT, THE RESULTANT CONFLICT IS NO WORSE THAN IF NO SUPERORIDNATE GOAL HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE FIRST PLACE. SIX HYPOTHESES ARE TESTED AND DISCUSSED. THEY INCLUDE 1. IN THE COURSE OF FRUSTRATING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TWO GROUPS, BEHAVIORAL INDICATIONS OF CONFLICT WILL BE DEMONSTRATED. 2. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CONFLICTING GROUPS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A SITUATION EMBODYING A SUPERORDINATE GOAL WHICH IS ACHIEVED WILL TEND TO REDUCE INTER GROUP CONFLICT. 3. IF THE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF FRUSTRATION BETWEEN GROUPS REMAINS UNCHANGED, A GREATER AMOUNT OF CONFLICT WILL EXIST UNDER A CONDITION OF NONACHIEVEMENT OF A SUPERORDINATE GOAL THAN IN A CONTROL CONDITION. TABLES. REFERENCES.