Sherif et al (classic study)

Question 1

when did the study take place

Answer 1

1954/ 1961

Question 2

Aim: what was the aim of the study

Answer 2

to explore how competition and frustration of a groups goal can lead to stereotyping and prejudice towards an outgroup

Question 3

Procedure: what was the independent variable

Answer 3

whether the atmosphere at the camp was competitive or cooperation

Question 4

Procedure: what where the dependent variables

Answer 4

number of friends identified in the outgroup

Question 5

Procedure: what was the sample for the experiment

Answer 5

22 boys 
middle class 
protestant
11 years of age 
from Oklahoma USA

Question 6

Procedure: how many groups where there and what did the boys have in common with their group

Answer 6

2 groups

the groups had boys of equivalent abilities like IQ or sport prowess

Question 7

Procedure: what was the procedure for the arrival of the groups

Answer 7

the groups arrived on separate days and were delivered to different locations (neither knew of the other groups existence)

Question 8

Procedure: what data was collected

Answer 8

quantitive and qualitative

Question 9

Procedure: over how long was the data collected

Answer 9

3 weeks

Question 10

Procedure: what methods were used to collect the data

Answer 10

covert observations and recordings
ranked scales (measure boys beliefs about each other)
questionnaires.

Question 11

Procedure: what are the 3 stages called

Answer 11

group formation
friction
reducing friction

Question 12

Procedure: what happens in stage 1

Answer 12

boys took part in non-competitive activities so that the group could bond

activities like

• canoeing
• tent pitching
• building camp fires

Question 13

Procedure: what happens in stage 2

Answer 13

the groups learned of each others existence

• a tournament was created with prizes like a baseball match and tug of war
• extra points for cabin inspections

Question 14

Procedure: what happens in stage 3

Answer 14

initial tasks where increased social contact like watching a movie together

later on it was tasks like mending broken water supply that required intergroup cooperation

Question 15

Findings: what where the findings for stage 1

Answer 15

the groups called themselves names like the rattlers and the eagles

leaders were established and differing social norms began to show

rattlers swore a lot and where tough where as the eagles cried more when injured and didn’t swear

Question 16

Findings: what where the findings for stage 2

Answer 16

as soon as the groups knew of each others existence they wanted to challenge the other group to baseball game (hostility developed rapidly)

they raided and trashed each others cabins, took each others possessions and one group burnt the others flag

ranked scales showed that only

6. 4% of rattlers friends where eagles
7. 5% of eagles friends where rattlers

Question 17

Findings; what where the findings for stage 3

Answer 17

initially the social and subordinate tasks did little to reduce hostility

after fixing the water supply they where insulting each other again but after getting the truck going they made dinner together and the hostility was reduced

outgrip friendships increased

36. 4% rattlers friends where eagles
37. 2% eagles friends where rattlers

Question 18

what did sherif conclude

Answer 18

intergroup competition leads to increased ingroup favouritism but outgroup hostility

increased social contact is not enough to reduce prejudice but a series of subordinate goals can reduce prejudice effectively