The Robber's Cave Summary

The aim of Sherif’s The Robber’s Cave study was to study informal groups and observe the natural and immediate development of group organization, attitudes/prejudice, and group norms. It also tested “Realistic conflict theory”, which is based on the assumption that groups interacting with each other create attitudes with each other. The study involved three parts: defining group identity, introducing conflict, and resolving conflict. The 22 boys, aged 11-12 were from White, Protestant, middle-class homes and were separated into two groups. In defining group identity, they participated in multiple challenging activities such as hikes, campouts, and sports. A social hierarchy emerged in both groups, with leaders taking charge of their own groups.

In the second part of the study, conflict was introduced in the form of competitive games. Although the games started off well, both groups called each other names. Each group did not want contact with the other group, going as far as opposing their former friends. As this occurred, solidarity increased within each group rather than each other. This resulted in increased hostilities from burning the opposing group’s flag to fights between the two groups. In the third part, resolving conflict, the researchers sought to end the conflict between the two groups. While initial attempts failed, a different hypothesis was proposed saying that “working together to reach a common goal would encourage a positive relationship between the groups (Sherif et al., 1961).” One test was having the camp truck break down. The boys put aside their differences to pull the truck. As a result, they showed cooperation and made friends from the other group. Also, intergroup hostilities ceased. The design for this study is repeated measures because the same two groups of boys are being tested under the same conditions in both competition and conflict and resolving