Conflict theory

Conflict theory is a social theory which emphasizes a person's or group's ability to exercise influence and control over others, thereby affecting social order. It posits that individuals and groups struggle to maximize their benefits, inevitably contributing to social changes such as innovations in politics and outright revolutions. Conflict theory examines class conflict, such as that between the proletariat and bourgeoisie, and contrasts ideologies such as capitalism and socialism. It proposes that continual struggles exist among all different aspects of a particular society. These struggles do not always involve physical violence; they can be underlying efforts by each group or individual within a society to maximize its benefits. The theory has roots in the critical theory of Karl Marx and the interpretive sociology of Max Weber.

Stratification

Social identity theory (SIT) can restore some coherence to organizational identification, and it can suggest fruitful applications to organizational behavior. SIT offers a social-psychological perspective, developed principally by Henri Tajfel (1978, 1981; Tajfel & Turner, 1985) and John Turner (1975, 1982, 1984, and 1985). Following a review of the literature on SIT, the antecedents and consequences of social identification in organizations are discussed. This perspective is then applied to three domains of organizational behavior: socialization, role conflict and intergroup relations Social Identity Theory

According to SIT, people tend to classify them selves and others into various social categories, such as organizational membership, religious affiliation, gender, and age cohort (Tjfel & Turner, 1985). As these examples suggest, people may be classified in various categories, and different individuals may utilize different categorization Echnos. Categories are defined by prototypical characteristics abstracted from the members (Turner, 1985). Social classification serves two functions. First, it cognitively sag

Fisher argues that intergroup conflicts arise from objective differences of interest, coupled with antagonistic or controlling attitudes or behaviors. Incompatibilities, which can prompt conflict, include economic, power or value differences, or differences in needs-satisfaction. Often intergroup conflicts have a mixture of these elements.

These incompatibilities can then be exacerbated into destructive intergroup conflict by common perceptual and cognitive processes. The very act of group categorization tends to create some in-group favoritism. Conflict between groups encourages negative stereotyping of the opposing group. Cognitive biases lead individuals to attribute positive personal characteristics to fellow in-group members and excuse their negative behaviors. At the same time, such biases lead people to attribute negative characteristics to out-group members and explain away any positive behaviors.

Conflict theorists

Conflict theory was elaborated in the United Kingdom by Max Gluckman (1911-1975) and John Rex (1925-...), in the United States by Lewis A. Coser (1913-2003) and Randall Collins (1941-...), and in Germany by Ralf Dahrendorf (1929-...), all of them being influenced by Ludwig Gumplowicz (1838-1909), Vilfredo Pareto (1848-1923), Georg Simmel (1858-1918), and greatly influenced by Karl Marx (1818-1883).

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