robbers cave study

• Who conducted the Robbers Cave Study?

  Muzafer Sherif
• In what year was the Robbers Cave Study published?

  1961
• Where was the Robbers Cave Study conducted?

  Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma, USA
• How many boys participated in the Robbers Cave Study?

  22 boys
• What was the age range of the participants in the Robbers Cave Study?

  11-12 years old
• What was the primary aim of the Robbers Cave Study?

  To investigate how intergroup conflict and prejudice develop and how they can be reduced
• What theory was tested in the Robbers Cave Study?

  Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)
• What does Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT) propose?

  Intergroup conflict arises due to competition over limited resources
• What were the three main stages of the Robbers Cave Study procedure?

  1. In-group Formation (Group Bonding)
  2. Intergroup Conflict (Friction)
  3. Reducing Friction
• What activities were used to encourage in-group bonding in Stage 1?

  Hiking and swimming
• What were the names chosen for the two groups in the study?

  The Eagles and The Rattlers
• What was the purpose of introducing competition in Stage 2?

  To create friction between the groups
• What types of games were used to create competition in Stage 2?

  Tug of war and baseball
• What was the outcome of the competition between the groups?

  It intensified hostility between the groups
• What behaviors escalated as a result of the conflict?

  Hostile behaviors escalated into aggression
• What were the groups' perceptions of each other during the conflict?

  The groups saw their own group as superior and the other as inferior
• How did researchers attempt to reduce conflict in Stage 3?

  • Introduced superordinate goals
  • Tasks required cooperation between groups (e.g., fixing a broken water supply)
  • Aimed to reduce conflict by promoting mutual benefit
• What was the effect of introducing superordinate goals on the groups?

  It reduced hostility and fostered cooperation
• What was the final outcome of the Robbers Cave Study regarding group interactions?

  The boys began interacting positively across group lines
• What does the study conclude about Realistic Conflict Theory (RCT)?

  The study supports RCT, showing competition leads to intergroup conflict and prejudice
• How can conflict be reduced according to the study's conclusions?

  By introducing superordinate goals that require cooperation
• What type of study was the Robbers Cave Study?

  Field experiment
• What was the demographic background of the participants?

  All white, middle-class, Protestant boys
• Were the boys known to each other before the study?

  No, they were unknown to each other prior to the study
• How were the groups kept apart during the in-group formation stage?

  They were kept apart and given activities to encourage bonding
• What was the nature of the prizes in the competition?

  The winning group received medals and trophies
• What hostile behaviors did the boys exhibit towards each other?

  Name-calling and burning each other's flags
• What was the outcome of the boys working together towards common goals?

  It led to improved relations between the groups
• What did the boys do on the bus home after the study?

  They sat together