social: sherif 1954

Question 1

summary

Answer 1

aim=) to see if creating conflict caused prejudice. 2) to see if a superordinate goal would reduce prejudice

procedure=20 ‘typical’ boys (11/12/male/white) staying at Robbers cave park for 3 weeks. Randomly divided into rattlers and eagles. First, groups didn’t know about each other when found out they felt the other was invading their territory. Took part in tournament where most points got a prize. Led to an in-group and hostility to out-group with stereotyping. Simple contact to reduce didn’t work, superordinate goals made groups co-operate and reduced hostility.

results=
Prejudice reduced after superordinate goals caused to work together. In hostility phase - 93% had friends in own group, after co-operation phase 30% had friends between groups.

conclusions=Prejudice will occur at the creation of two groups (social identity theory) competition may be a factor resulting in prejudice. Can be used to help reduce prejudice.

Question 2

ethics

Answer 2

• followed right to withdraw as 2 boys left
  -Hostility encouraged, parents encouraged to stay away, boys didn’t give consen

Question 3

practical issues

Answer 3

Field experiments are hard to replicate due to lack of controls, time consuming to find ‘well adjusted boys’, hard to get parents to have no contact. Matched the boys at the start and out into groups.

• low sample size
• no girls so beta bias, does not show how competition can occur in girls

Question 4

reductionism

Answer 4

Reduces prejudice down to competition and ignores other factors. Hard to focus on prejudice as breaking it down can miss important interaction

Question 5

comparisons

Answer 5

Prejudice in groups, conflict in prejudice due to competition, superordinate goals reduce prejudice.

-SIT
RCT

Question 6

psych as a science

Answer 6

Field experiment is scientific way of gathering data, careful controls by matching boys, realistic situation so resting reality.
CA= extraneous variables

Question 7

culture and gender

Answer 7

Used American boys so issue of ethnocentrism. Findings only apply to USA where study took place. Less frequently used so generalising not appropriate. All boys so can’t be generalised to other genders.
CA= generalising findings to girls might not be suitable

Question 8

nature/nurture

Answer 8

Focus’ on nurture and some cultures less prejudice. Focus’ on formation of groups and competition. In-group fights over resources

Question 9

psych understanding over time

Answer 9

In 1960’s when popular as newer area with little to go on. Tajfel took forward SIT and sherif took forward RCT. Focus’ on group interactions as Adorno linked prejudice with personality in the 60’s.

Question 10

issues of social control

Answer 10

How prejudice occurs so how we can control it. Suggested the use of goals can help control society. Who the boys has conflict wit

Question 11

psych knowledge in society

Answer 11

Reduces prejudice in classrooms - jigsaw classroom. Teaches people to ignore stereotypes reducing prejudice. Superordinate goals help reduce prejudice. Can be problematic and lead to violence.

Question 12

socially sensitive research

Answer 12

Prejudice as found that personality is more likely to prejudice. Comes from situations like competition. Poses threats as knowing more is useful.