Aims:
-
To
see if creating an in and out group situation with added conflict would create
prejudice
-
To
see if prejudice could then be reduced by setting a goal for both groups that
required cooperation
Procedure:
-
20
boys who were staying at the Robber’s
Cave camp for 3 weeks
-
Were
12 years old and selected to be typical of their age
-
The
boys were randomly divided into two groups one called the rattlers the other
the eagles
-
For
the first week the two groups were unaware of one another’s existence
-
The
Rattlers thought they were tough and the Eagles did not allow swearing
-
When
the groups discovered one another both thought that the other group was
invading their territory
-
At
this stage Sherif introduced conflict through a tournament between the two
groups which was for a prize
-
At
this stage there was a negative stereotyping of the opposite group, the in
group would refer to themselves as brave, tough and friendly and the other
group as sneaks and stinkers
-
The
groups burned one another’s flags and raided the opposite group’s camp
-
After
this Sherif tried to reduce prejudice by having the boys work together to
overcome problems firstly the camp water supply failed in which they had to fix
the water tank and secondly they had to work together to pull out a truck that
was stuck in the mud
Results:
-
Prejudice
was reduced after the two groups had to work together to overcome problems
-
Sherif
posed as the camp handyman and asked the boys who their friends were in the ‘hostility’
phase and 93% had friends only in their own group whereas after the cooperation
phase 30% had friends between two groups showing a reduction in prejudice
Conclusion:
-
Prejudice
will occur in a situation merely where two groups are created this supports
social identity theory
-
Also
supports the idea that competition may also be a factor resulting in prejudice
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