Sherif Et Al - Classic study Flashcards
What experiment did Sherif do and why?
“The Robber’s Cave” experiment to test his realistic conflict theory as the explanation for prejudice being a result of competition between groups for resources
What type of experiment was this?
Field experiment
What was the aim?
To produce group norms + to measure their effects on the perceptions + judgements of those involved
Wanted to see how in-group behaviour developed to include out-group hostility + how friction could be reduced
What was the sample?
2 groups of 12 year old boys at Robber’s Cave State Park in Oklahoma
2 boys went home due to homesickness, left 11 in each group
Randomly allocated to their group + didnt know other group existed, happened in summer 1954
What 3 phases was the experiment broken down into?
- In group formation, 6 days
- Friction phase, included 1st contact between groups, sports competitions, etc
- Integration phase (reducing friction)
Did the boys know eachother before coming to the camp? What were they matched by?
No, and were all from white middle class backgrounds
Matched as closely as possible, including IQ rated by teachers + sporting ability
Why were they all screened? Did they know the aims?
To eliminate problems at home + difficulties in attitudes/behaviour
None of the boys knew aims of the camp, nominal fee charged for camp + parents aware of aims but not allowed to visit to avoid homesickness
How was the data for the experiment collected?
Observation = By ppt observer, 1 to each group for 12 hrs per day
Sociometric analysis = Issues of friendship patterns noted + studied
Experiment = Boys had to collect beans + estimate how many each collected
Tape recording = Adjectives + phrases used to refer to in group + out group members examined
What happened in the in-group formation stage?
- Group members encouraged to bond through common goals that needed planning + execution
- Boys developed attachment to their groups + chose names (Eagles + Rattlers) then stencilled them onto shirts + flags
- Both groups had leader
When made aware of each others existence, what happened?
- Rattlers = Dicussed other group frequently, saying things like ‘They better not be in our swimming hole’
- Eagles = Didn’t discuss rattlers as much but invited them to play games against them
What happened by the end of the first stage?
Group stereotypes started to emerge + seemed that existence of out-group caused hostility
What happened during the friction phase (competition stage)?
Over next 4-6 days, 2 groups in competition with each other in conditions creating frustration
Series of competitive activities (e.g. baseball, tug-of-war) were arranged with trophy being awarded to winning team
Also individual prizes for winning group such as medal + multi-bladed pocket knife, no prize given to losers
What was the rattler’s reactions to the competitions?
They were confident in their victory + took over ball field as their own and out their flag there
Made threatening remarks abt what they’d do if eagles bothered their flag
What happened at the end of the competition stage?
At first, prejudice was only verbally expressed, such as taunting or name calling
As competition wore on, eagles burned the rattlers flag, then next day the rattlers ransacked the eagles cabin, overturned beds, + stole their stuff
Groups became so aggressive with eachother the researcher had to physically separate them
What were the out-group friendship choices by the end of stage 2?
Rattlers = 6.4%
Eagles = 7.5%
What happened during the 2 day cooling off period?
Boys listed features of the 2 groups, tended to characterise in group with favourable terms + out grouo in unfavourable terms (stinkers, braggers, sissies)
Both groups refused to eat in same hall together
What happened during the integration phase?
To lessen friction + promote unity, groups had to complete superordinate goals (both parties need to do, one cant do alone)
Superordinate goals = Water shortage problem, broken down camp truck that needed to be pulled back to camp, pooling resources to afford a film
What was the result of stage 3?
Hostile behaviour subsided, groups bonded + insisted they ride home on same bus
What were the out-group friendship choices at the end of stage 3?
Rattlers = 36.4%
Eagles = 23.2%
What was the conclusion of this study?
- Shows that conflict of interests/competition between groups can cause prejudiced attitudes + discriminatory behaviour
- Confirmed Sherif’s realistic conflict theory
- Shows increased contact isnt enough to reduce conflict, but working together towards superordinate goals can
- Demonstrates that people overestimate in-group abilities + minimise abilities of out-group
