Sherif Study Flashcards
Aims
Wanted to research intergroup conflict and co operation
Procedure
Rounded up 22 American Boys that are 11 years old and matched them on Athletic ability and IQ
They didnt know each other prior to the experiment
All normally adjusted and from middle class families
Parents told to not visit the boys during the experiment
Carried it out in 3 stages:
Group Formation: introduced to their team members rhen given activities thatd encourage group formation, they were isolated from the other group during this
As a result, they set up their own group norms, values, beliefs
Called themselves names like Ratllers and Eagles
At the end of this, the two groups knew of each others existence, formed an US vs Them attitude- hostility now shown
Stage 2: Friction
Ingroups + outgroups now formed, verbal hostilty shown as theyd call each other sissies and etc
93 percent only had friends with ppl in ingroup
Orchaestrated actions done by researchers such as raiding cabins which made groups think it was the other group that did so
Stage 3: reducing friction
Introduced subordinate goals through activities to reduce hostility, which eventually reduced hostility but short term contact still had negative outgroup bias.
Strength
High ecological validity as it was a field experimenr, suggests lack of demand characteristics as it took place in a natural environment
High level of control and planning done, staff were partcipant observers, staff could onlt intervene if there was a threat to safety, ensures that staff didnt affect the behaviour of the boys
Weakness
Ethical issues as the boys were 12 and unable to consent, their parents werent told the aims of the experiment either and were told that it was about leadership, lack of informed consent
Lack of generalisibility, done on American Middle class White boys, isnt a representative of those who are of different culture or gender
Argues for social identity theory instead as rhe presence of another group caused prejudice and not competition by the end of stage 1,suggests for prejudice to occur a formation of groups needs to occur which is for social identity
