Robbers Cave Flashcards
What is the Aim of Robbers
Cave?
To see if creating an ingroup and outgroup can create conflict between two groups.
Procedure for Robbers Cave
20 boys stayed at the robbers cave state park camp for 3 weeks. The boys were randomly divided into two groups, they names themselves, ‘rattlers’ and ‘eagles’.
For the first week, the boys weren’t aware of each others existence.
When they discovered each other, both groups felt that the other was invading their territory.
Real conflict was exposed to the boys where there was a tournament between the two groups.
Teams got points, member of teams with most points would get a prize.
This led to loyalty to the in-group, and hostility to the out-group.
To reduce hostility and prejudice, Sheriff introduced a superordinate goal, where the boys had to work together to overcome problems
Hostility was reduced.
What were the Results of
Robbers Cave?
Prejudice was decreased when the boys came to work together once the superordinate goal was introduced.
Sheriff asked the boys who their friends were, 30% had friends between the two groups.
This shows reduction in prejudice.
What did Sheriff conclude about his Robbers Cave experiment?
Prejudice occurs in a situation where two groups are created which therefore supports social identity theory. Sheriffs study also supports the idea that competition may also be a factor resulting in prejudice.
