Cave Robbers Experiment-Muzafer Sherif

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Cave Robbers Experiment-Muzafer Sherif

• Taylor Sasha

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What was the purpose?

• Muzafer and his wife, Carolyn, conducted a study
  on the origin of prejudice.
• The experiment focused heavily on the concept of
  a group and what a perception of belonging to a
  group can actually do to the relationships of
  members within it and their relationships with
  people outside their group.

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Who was involved?

• Muzafer Sherif and Carolyn Sherif- psychologists
  that came up with the experiment.
• 22 boys between the ages of 11 and 12.
• Researchers were disguised as camp leaders.

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What happened in this experiment?

• There were 3 phases of this experiment.
• 1. In-Group Formation
• 2. Friction Phase
• 3. Integration Phase.

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Phase 1. (In-group Formation)

• Twenty-two eleven year-old boys of middle-class
  socioeconomic standing, and who are not school or
  social failures and who have similar educational
  level.
• These boys were taken into a summer camp in
  Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma where they
  were divided into two groups of eleven.
• The two groups created national flags creating a
  sense of belonging. They also bonded with each
  other and created group names.
• The groups must not be aware of the existence of
  the other group If the groups had met before, it
  would alter the results because they would likely
  be less hostile towards the other group later on
  in the experiment.

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Phase 2. Friction Phase

• During this phase, the two groups were allowed to
  find out about the existence of the other group.
• Teams were forced to compete against each other
  in a number of camp activities. Such as,
  canoeing, camp fire building, and wood chopping,
  etc.
• The winning team, scoring the highest overall
  number of points, won a trophy.
• Greatly increased the antagonism between the two
  groups.
• Later on, name calling and fighting started and
  the singing of offending songs were also
  observed.
• After refusal of being in the same room, the
  researchers decided to end the second phase
  before further outbursts occurred.

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Phase 3- Integration Phase.

• This stage constitutes the most crucial and
  significant aspect of the study.
• The researchers forced groups together to
  cooperate and achieve a common goal.
• Both groups were taken to a new location and were
  told to fix their drinking water supply which had
  been damaged by vandals.
• The two teams worked together because a water
  supply shortage affected both groups immensely.
• The second activity the boys were told to watch a
  movie together. They successfully agreed upon
  one, and later ate dinner together without
  dispute.

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What was discovered?

• During the first phase, the researchers
  discovered that when you place a group of
  strangers together, they take on specific roles
  within the group. Such as leaders, followers,
  etc. They bond together and become close friends
  (like a family).
• Second Phase- because of the bonding in group
  one, they had a sense of pride towards that team.
  When forced to fight against each other they
  found themselves in a battle. Each group believed
  their group was superior in all aspects.
• Third Phase- When two conflicting groups are
  brought together to achieve a goal that can only
  be accomplished by both groups working together.
  They work together flawlessly.

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How did this change psychology?

• Realistic conflict theory - intergroup conflicts
  arise between groups as they compete over the
  same limited resources. Thought to cause
  discrimination and prejudices in society
• Sports Therapy

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Bibliography

• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Realistic_conflict_th
  eory
• http//www.spring.org.uk/2007/09/war-peace-and-rol
  e-of-power-in-sherifs.php
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzafer_Sherif