Robbers Cave Experiment - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Robbers Cave Experiment and its findings.

Robbers Cave Experiment

A field study by Muzafer Sherif (1954 Robbers Cave State Park) examining how intergroup conflict arises from competition and how cooperation through superordinate goals can reduce prejudice.

Intergroup conflict

Hostility between two or more groups arising from competition over scarce resources.

Ingroup

The group with which a person identifies and feels loyalty toward.

Outgroup

A group perceived as different from one’s own group; often the target of prejudice.

Superordinate goals

Shared objectives that require cooperation between groups to achieve.

Realistic Conflict Theory

The idea that conflict between groups stems from competition over limited resources.

Social Identity Theory

Theory that part of a person’s self-concept comes from group membership and influences intergroup behavior.

Contact hypothesis

The proposition that increased contact between groups can reduce prejudice, though not always effective alone.

Stage one: Group formation

Phase where two groups are created and develop distinct identities, norms, and symbols.

Stage two: Intergroup competition

Phase in which groups compete in tasks, producing hostility and prejudice.

Stage three: Intergroup cooperation

Phase where groups work together to achieve common goals, reducing conflict.

Eagles

One of the two groups formed at Robbers Cave; developed its own symbols and norms.

Rattlers

The other group formed at Robbers Cave; described as tougher and more aggressive.

Tug-of-war

A competitive activity used to create intergroup tension.

Treasure hunt

A competitive activity used to exacerbate intergroup rivalry.

Water supply interruption

A deliberately created crisis requiring both groups to cooperate to restore supply.

Movie funding task

A cooperative task where groups contributed money to rent a movie, promoting collaboration.

Group symbols

Visual identifiers (names, logos) that represent each group and their identity.

Group norms

Shared expectations about behavior within a group.

Group leader

A person who emerged as a leadership figure within each group.

Ingroup favoritism

Positive attitudes and preference toward one’s own group.

Outgroup prejudice

Negative attitudes toward the group outside one’s own.

Attitude questionnaire

Measurement tool used to assess participants’ views of ingroup and outgroup.

Hidden observation

Observing participants covertly with cameras or microphones.

Informed consent

Permission granted by participants or guardians; ethical concerns arise when participants are unaware of the study.

Non-random group assignment

Groups formed by the researchers through a specific process rather than random allocation.

Field experiment

An experiment conducted in a real-world setting outside the lab.

Summer camp setting

The naturalistic environment where the Robbers Cave study occurred.

Proximity

Physical closeness between groups; in this study, proximity initially increased conflict rather than reducing it.

Outgroup friendship increase

Rising number of friendships across group lines after cooperative goals were introduced.

Ingroup friendship

Friendships developed within one’s own group.

1954 camp results

Findings showing reduced intergroup conflict and prejudice after achieving superordinate goals.

1953 camp results

Findings showing failure to create intergroup conflict; participants inferred the study’s purpose, questioning reliability.

Reliability

Consistency of results across different camps or replications.

Generalizability

Extent to which findings apply to other populations and settings.

Ethics criticisms

Concerns about consent, deception, and covert observation in the study.

Percent Eagles friends from Rattlers

7.5% of the Eagles’ friends were from the Rattlers.

Percent Rattlers friends from Eagles

6.4% of the Rattlers’ friends were from the Eagles.

Phase of group interaction: Group formation indicators

Emergence of group leaders, nicknames, jokes, and group-specific norms.

Pro-social behavior in Robbers Cave

Cooperation between groups to achieve shared goals (e.g., fixing water, funding movie).

Stereotyping

Attributing generalized beliefs about a group, often oversimplified and biased.

Discrimination

Unfavorable or unfair treatment of outgroup members as a result of prejudice.

Questionnaires (attitudes toward groups)

Tools used to quantify individuals’ attitudes toward ingroup and outgroup.

Observation methods

Use of direct observation, sometimes covert, to record behavior and interactions.

Muzafer Sherif

Lead researcher and psychologist who conducted the Robbers Cave Experiment.

Intergroup hostility mechanisms

Processes like name-calling, raids, and scuffles that arise from competition.

Symbolic identity

The symbolic aspects (names, logos) that differentiate groups.

Intergroup contact effects

Contact between groups can help or hinder prejudice reduction depending on context.

Ethical concern: deception

Participants were unaware of being studied; raises ethical questions.

Phase indicators: first, second, third stages

The sequence: group formation, intergroup competition, and intergroup cooperation.

Group norms differences

Eagles and Rattlers developed distinct social norms (e.g., swearing).

Friendship dynamics

Changes in friendships within and between groups across stages.

Implications for psychology

Evidence informing Realistic Conflict Theory and Social Identity Theory.

The study’s origin year

1954 Robbers Cave Experiment conducted at Robbers Cave State Park.

Field setting advantages

Natural context can enhance ecological validity of findings.

Limitations of sample

Only white, middle-class, Protestant boys; limits generalizability.

Kinetic outcomes

Physical or overt actions (e.g., raids, scuffles) reflecting hostility.

Cognitive outcomes

Attitudinal shifts, stereotypes, and prejudice formation or reduction.

Leadership emergence

Spontaneous appearance of leaders within each group during stage one.