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Social Psychology

Classic study: Sherif et al. (1954) Robbers Cave

  • 3 things to know
  • Papers 1 and 3

Overview

Recall questions on the three stages at Robbers Cave, the Rattlers and Eagles, how hostility was produced, and how superordinate goals reduced it.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Study

Describe what happened during the friction phase of the Robbers Cave Experiment.

Numbers

Who conducted the Robbers Cave Experiment and in what years was it published?

Key term

Describe the sample used in the Robbers Cave Experiment.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Who conducted the Robbers Cave Experiment and in what years was it published?

    Model answer

    Sherif et al. conducted the study, published in 1954/1961.

  2. 2

    What was the main aim of the Robbers Cave Experiment?

    Model answer

    To investigate intergroup conflict and cooperation.

  3. 3

    Describe the sample used in the Robbers Cave Experiment.

    Model answer

    22 white, middle-class boys aged 11-12 years old who were strangers to each other.

  4. 4

    Where did the Robbers Cave Experiment take place?

    Model answer

    At a summer camp in Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma.

  5. 5

    What was the first phase of the Robbers Cave Experiment and what occurred during it?

    Model answer

    The in-group formation phase, where the two groups of boys (Eagles and Rattlers) were kept separate and developed their own group identities, norms, hierarchies and cohesion through activities like hiking and swimming.

  6. 6

    Describe what happened during the friction phase of the Robbers Cave Experiment.

    Model answer

    The two groups were brought into competition through a series of contests (e.g., baseball, tug-of-war) with prizes for the winners. This created intergroup hostility, name-calling, raids on each other's cabins, and negative stereotyping of the out-group.

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