Robbers cave study - Sherif (1961)

realistic conflict theory - robbers cave study by Sherif (1961)

What does realistic conflict theory suggest about prejudice

• Sherif agreed with the idea put forward by Tajfel and Turner in their social identity theory

• realist theory because it proposes that conflict isn’t based on irrational needs for identity, rather for an actual need for resources.

• but he took it further and focused on conflict/prejudice being caused due to competition over scarce resources.

• suggested that when two groups are in competition for resources that are limited, then conflict is created between them.

• however the conflict/prejudice can be reduced by introducing a superordinate goal, a common goal both groups work towards together.

Sample?

• 22 boys

• 11-12 years old

• from two parent protestant families, similar socio economic backgrounds, all white from the USA, above average intelligence.

What was the aim?

• to investigate if creating an in group and an out group and causing competition for scarce resources results in conflict/prejudice.

• to investigate if introducing a superordinate goal reduces conflict/prejudice.

What did he hypothesise would happen?

• That intergroup conflict will occur when the two groups have conflicting aims, and the members will become hostile toward each other (i.e. show discrimination and prejudice toward the outgroup) 

 

What happened in the first phase?

• intergroup formation phase

• 22 boys divided into 11/two different groups.

• both groups encouraged to participate in group activities to generate strong group identities.

• named themselves to create a strong sense of identity - the eagles and the rattlers.

• made flags, shirts - symbols/labels give a strong sense of group identity.

• successfully created ingroups (including hierarchies, rules, group identity, common goals.)

What happened in the second phase?

• friction phase

• two groups were introduced as soon as they developed strong group identities

• competitions such as baseball, tug of war for prizes to create a sense of their respective outgroups.

• winners got a prize, losers no consolation and losers labelled as such.

• this was done to create conflict between the two groups in competing for scarce resources.

• ingroups and outgroups were formed.

• conflict occurred through physical violence, raiding, burning of flags, vandalism.

What happened in the third and final stage?

• integration phase

• experimenters introduced a superordinate goal, a common goal where both groups needed to work together to be solved.

• water shortages - came up with a solution together

• food truck getting stuck - all helped to push it out

• movie was not paid for by camp - all pitched in to pay

• re established group identities from working together, tension decreased

• even chose to go home on one bus together when the experiment ended.

Conclusions?

• conflict does arise when two groups are in competition for scarce resources

• prejudice can be reduced by introducing a superordinate goal.