Robbers cave sherif

• What was the first aim of Sherif et al's study?

  To test if strangers form cohesive groups
• What was the second aim of the study?

  To see if prejudice arises from conflict
• How did Sherif et al propose to reduce prejudice?

  By setting superordinate goals for cooperation
• How many boys participated in the study?

  22 boys
• What was the age range of the boys in the study?

  11-12 years old
• What was the background of the boys involved in the study?

  White Americans from middle-class Protestant backgrounds
• Why were the boys screened before the study?

  To ensure no individual behavioral differences
• What method was used to match the boys for the study?

  Ratings by their school teachers
• How were the boys kept unaware of the study's aims?

  They were not informed they were part of a study
• What types of data collection did Sherif use?

  Observation, sociometric analysis, and recordings
• What were the three stages of the procedure in Sherif et al's study?

  1. In-group formation
  2. Inter-group relations - friction phase
  3. Inter-group relations - integration phase
• What activities did the boys engage in during Stage 1?

  Preparing meals and developing group identities
• What names did the two groups choose?

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

  To create competition and increase hostility
• What activities were included in the tournament?

  Tug-of-war, baseball, and swimming gala
• How did the boys express hostility during Stage 2?

  By name-calling and physical confrontations
• What adjectives did the boys use to describe their own group?

  'Brave, tough, and friendly'
• What was the outcome of simply bringing the groups together in Stage 3?

  It did not reduce hostility initially
• What were superordinate goals in the study?

  Goals requiring cooperation between groups
• What was one superordinate goal the boys worked on?

  Removing a blockage in the water supply
• How did the boys' behavior change after working on superordinate goals?

  They became less abusive towards each other
• What was the final friendship choice percentage for the Rattlers at the end of Stage 3?

  36.4%
• What was the final friendship choice percentage for the Eagles at the end of Stage 3?

  23.2%
• What conclusions can be drawn from Sherif et al's study?

  • Competition leads to discrimination between groups
  • Hostility can arise without competition
  • Cooperative tasks can reduce prejudice and discrimination
• What did the study suggest about the relationship between competition and discrimination?

  Competition is a factor leading to discrimination
• What was observed about the boys' attitudes towards each other after the study?

  Some discrimination persisted even after cooperation