Abstract
We draw on an emerging psychological view of rivalry as a relational perception and apply it to intergroup conflict. We examine whether perceived intergroup rivalry predicts support for conflict escalation above and beyond enemy-related perceptions and threat, and whether rivalry is more closely linked to conflict-related identity relevance, defined as the extent to which conflict with an adversary is seen as part of collective identity. Using a quota-based sample of Jewish Israelis approximating national representativeness, we assessed perceptions of Iran as a rival and as an enemy, support for conflict escalation, conflict-related identity relevance, and multidimensional threat. Perceived rivalry uniquely predicted support for conflict escalation. Perceived rivalry was also more closely associated with conflict-related identity relevance than enemy-related perceptions were, suggesting that rivals may be viewed as more deeply embedded in collective identity. These findings suggest that perceived intergroup rivalry captures a psychologically embedded form of adversarial perception that may help explain why some intergroup conflicts are especially difficult to defuse.