Classic Study of Sherif A01 Flashcards
What were the aims of the study?
To observe how competition and frustration of a group’s goals affect prejudice to an outgroup.
Also, to observe methods that encourage ingroup solidarity and cooperation.
What was the sample?
22 boys, aged 11
Did the boys know each other before entering the camp?
No
What did Sherif check with regards to the personality of the boys?
He made sure that they were all socially and emotionally well adjusted.
What were the two groups called?
The Rattlers and The Eagles
How long were the boys at camp for?
Three weeks
What kind of data was collected?
Qualitiative and Quantitative
Give two examples of the different methods used.
Covert Observation and recordings
Ranked Scale (to measure beliefs about each other)
Questionnaires
What were the three stages of the study called?
Stage 1 - Group Formation
Stage 2 - Friction
Stage 3 - Reducing Friction
What was the main focus in stage 2?
The groups learned of the other groups existence.
Researchers created a tournament (tug of war, baseball, tent pitching) with prizes (trophy for the winner).
Extra points were awarded for cabin inspections, comedy sketches and a treasure hunt.
What was the main focus in stage 1?
To bond with each other in their group - non competitive activities such as canoeing and building campfires were done.
What was the main focus in stage 3?
Increased social contact of the two groups (watching a movie together).
Superordinate goals were introduced later (mending a broken water supply and starting a broken down truck).
What were the findings of stage 1?
Groups named themselves
Leaders were established
Social norms developed - Rattlers were tough and swore. The Eagles cried more when injured and were anti-swearing.
What were the findings of stage 2?
Hostility developed quickly, name calling and fights.
Raids on each other’s cabins.
One group burnt the other’s flag.
Ingroup members seen as brave, tough and friendly.
Outgroup members seen as sneaky or ‘stinkers’.
What were the findings of stage 3?
Social contact and superordinate tasks initially did not reduce friction, groups still insulted each other after fixing the water supply.
Hostility greatly reduced after fixing the truck and making dinner together.
Boys entertained each other on the last night and left camp as friends.
What were the two main conclusions of the study?
Intergroup competition leads to increased ingroup favouritism.
Increased social contact is not enough to reduce prejudice - requires a series of superordinate goals.
