Describe the five components of the self-fulfilling spiral of intergroup competition and illustrate each with an example. Be sure to specify the sequence of these components (a diagram would be helpful here). How is this a self-fulfilling prophecy?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: Five components are: limited resources (which increase the likelihood that each groups sees the other as a threat), group A sees group B as a threat, which leads to group A to act in a competitive and hostile manner, which in turn leads to group B to perceive group A as a threat, which in turn leads to group B to act in a competitive and hostile manner. The cycle is self-fulfilling because group A's perception of B as a threat eventually leads B to act in a threatening way, thereby confirming A's prophecy.