Robbers Cave Study

Aim

1) To find out what makes two groups develop hostile relationships

2) How can this be reduced

Sample

22 middle class 11-12 y/o American boys split into 2 equal groups (the Rattlers and the Eagles names were formed in stage 1/3 stages) depending on their intelligence and sporting ability.

Selected by opportunity sampling (selected based on availability)

Their parents (who were aware of the experiment) signed them up for ‘summer camp’.

What were the 3 stages?

Bonding, competitive and integration.

What is an intra and inter group referring to?

Intra- Amongst one group

Inter- Between 2 groups

Phase 1 (Bonding phase) procedure

Two groups of boys arrived separately and settled into cabins. For one week, they were given cooperative tasks (e.g., treasure hunt) and spent time bonding.

Phase 1 outcome

Each group developed its own identity (giving themselves names like "Eagles" and "Rattlers") and immediately requested to compete against the other group upon discovery of their existence.

Phase 2 (Competitive) procedure

The two groups participated in a competitive tournament involving physical sports (baseball, tug-of-war) and experimental tasks (bean counting).

The winning team received a trophy and coveted prizes (knives, medals).

Phase 2 outcome

The competition immediately led to hostility, negative stereotyping, and discrimination between the Eagles and the Rattlers.

e.g. the eagles burned down the rattlers’ flag and then the rattler’s raided the eagles’ camp

Phase 3 (integration)

Sherif first tried "mere contact" (having the groups eat meals and watch films together). This failed to reduce the hostility.

Conflict was reduced only when the boys were forced to work together on superordinate goals—mutually desirable tasks that required cooperation to achieve (e.g., fixing the camp's blocked water pipe, choosing films, pooling efforts to pull a broken-down truck).

Phase 3 outcome

Working toward superordinate goals led to the groups' hostility leaving and the boys becoming friendly.

Findings

-Intra group/ ingroup solidarity grows during competition

-Inter group/ outgroup hostility is formed when fighting over limited resources

-This hostility can be reduced with superordinate goals

Conclusion

Used as evidence for Realistic Conflict Theory