Sherif et al (1954)
Sherif et al investigated the role of social
identity in conflict. You can use this study for
the following learning objectives:
Explain how principles that define the socio­
cultural level of analysis may be demonstrated
in research.
Discuss ethical considerations related to
research studies at the socio­cultural level of
analysis.
Evaluate Social Identity Theory.
The original study is available here.
Aim
Muzafer Sherif set out to study whether conflict between groups could be diminished
if they worked together on a superordinate goal. Superordinate goals are defined as
goals that are achieved by the contribution and co­operation of two or more people,
with individual goals that are normally in opposition to each other, working together.
The aim of the study was to study informal groups and observe the natural and
spontaneous development of group organization, attitudes (prejudice) and group
norms. The study also tested "Realistic conflict theory" which is based on the
assumption that groups interacting with each other generate attitudes towards each
other. The theory predicts that
Groups that are positively independent ­ that is, they work toward common
goals ­ will have good intergroup relations.
Groups that are negatively independent ­ that is, they are in competition for
scarce resources ­ will create conflict and ethnocentric attitudes.
Procedure
The participants of the first experiment were 22 boys, aged 11­12. They were
matched so that they were all healthy, socially well adjusted, somewhat above
average intelligence and from stable, White, Protestant, middle­class homes. None of
the boys knew each other before the study. Before the experiment began, the boys
were randomly allocated to one of two groups.
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The researchers organized a regular summer camp in the Robbers Cave State Park
used. Read more
 close
in Oklahoma with camp staff so that the boys did not know that they were taking part
in an experiment. This was done to guarantee the ecological validity of the research.
The researchers collected data by making written records of the observed behaviour,
as well as sometimes using cameras and microphones.
At the camp the groups were kept separate from each other and played did a lot of
activities with the goal of helping the group bond and create an identity. The boys
chose names for their groups, The Eagles and The Rattlers. They stenciled their team
name onto shirts and flags.
After group identities were established, the researchers the introduced conflict
through games. Situations were also created so that one group benefited at the
expense of the other. For example, one group was delayed getting to a picnic and
when they arrived the other group had eaten their food.
Results
The games started well but the boys soon called each other names such as "stinkers"
and "cheaters". In this stage solidarity increased within each group and they showed
hostility towards the other group such as stealing the other group's flag and setting
fire to it. This confirmed that conflict and negative attitudes between groups can arise
from group identity and fighting for resources.
During a two­day cooling off period, the boys were asked to list features of the two
groups. The boys tended to characterize their own in­group in very favorable terms,
and the other out­group in very unfavorable terms.
The researchers wanted to bring the conflict between the groups to a stop. Initial
attempts to reconcile the groups were not successful so they developed another
hypothesis that working together to reach a common goal would encourage a positive
relationship between the groups. In other words, when the clear division of "us" and
"them" would disappear, so would the conflict between the groups. They created a
series of situations such as making the camp truck break down during an outing; the
boys had to cooperate to pull the truck. The introduction of these super­ordinate goals
eased the tension between the groups. This resulted in less negative ratings of the
other group and there was no longer any intergroup hostility.
The study revealed one of the ways that intergroup conflict and negative intergroup
attitudes may emerge. The study has been used to explain how racial prejudice and
discrimination may arise between ethnic groups as a result of competition for
resources.
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