In 1954 Sherif and associates completed a study entitled “Intergroup conflict and Cooperation, The Robbers Cave Experiment”. The experiment tried to emulate the conditions apparent in general group interaction. To this end, it is one of the few experiments which was able to combine experimental procedures, observation and sociometrics, to the extent that the participants were not informed of their involvement in the experiment. This ensured actual group interactions were emulated.
The experiment combines the elements of intra-group relations (categorised by the forming, storming, norming, performing model) with inter-group conflict. Thus it studies not only group dynamics, but also how these dynamics are mediated by external forces such as opposing groups.
Sherif and associates tested two hypotheses during the experiment. The first stated that when individuals having no established relationships are brought together to interact in group activities with common goals, they produce a group structure with hierarchical statuses and roles within it. The second proposed if two in-groups thus formed are brought into functional relationship under conditions of competition and group frustration, attitudes and appropriate hostile actions in relation to the out-group and its members will arise and will be standardized and shared in varying degrees by group members.
In order to test their hypothesis, and standardize results, participants were selected on strict criteria. The subjects were 24 twelve year old boys from middle socioeconomic class protestant backgrounds. They all had average IQ’s ranging from 90 to 120. None had experienced any major problems at home and all came from complete families. They had similar levels of education and none were considered social isolates. Obviously the participants were highly standardized, in terms of ethnicity, age, religion, background, gender and intelligence.
The subjects were sent to an American summer camp, where the experimental design saw three progressive stages of study.
Stage one began with the random allocation of the subjects into two groups of 12 boys. Each group was unaware of the presence of the other, to ensure this did not have an impact on group dynamics. The primary aim of this stage was to develop intra-group relationships. This was achieved by setting a series of common and interdependent activities which the group must achieve to acquire certain needs. The goals were integral to the situation, if, for example, the group was hungry they were required to work together to obtain food. The attainment of the goal required cooperation and reciprocal relations. This stage saw the forming, storming, norming and performing phases of group dynamics.
Stage two was referred to as the friction phase. In this phase the two groups were brought into contact in a series of competitive tasks which evoked direct competition. There was a tournament type structure, with the groups awarded points for successes. The points were awarded on a group, not individual basis, and could be used to obtain rewards. Experimenters subtly introduced situations designed to frustrate the groups, with each group believing that the opposing groups was causing these frustrations. The introduction of this opposing group strengthened intra-group bonds and dramatically increased inter-group conflict, reaching the extent of physical violence.
Stage three, or the integration phase, aimed to reverse the effects of the friction phase and create cooperation between groups. Several strategies were used to achieve this unity. Initially, a common enemy approach was devised, where both groups were told their water supply had been sabotaged by an outside group. Their efforts had to be combined to restore this resource. Other strategies include focusing on individual rather than group performance, and introducing outside leadership. The technique that was chosen was the introduction of superordinate goals, common to both groups.
The results of the study were varied in terms of both inter and intra-group dynamics. Stage one of the experiment revealed that a definite group structure was developed with different status positions as a product of individual interactions. Furthermore, the directions of communications directly matched the group hierarchy. That is, the higher the status of a group member, the greater the frequency of suggestions addressed to them. Stage one also revealed that higher status members overestimated their own performance in group activities, while their group also overestimated this performance. Lower status members had their performance underestimated by themselves and the group.
Stage two found that in competition and frustrating relations between the two groups, members of the opposing group will be stereotyped and placed at a far social distance. Similar to the findings of stage one, groups over-estimated their own performance, and under-estimated that of the opposing group. It was also found that as inter-group conflict increases, intra-group bonding increases. Interestingly, lower status members of the group will convey more aggression towards the other group, with an aim of improving their social standing.
Stage three found that contact alone will not reduce conflict between groups. Conversely, if a common superordinate goal is added to this conflict, there will be a reduction in the existing tension between groups.
The robbers cave study is unique in that it emulates the effects of true-life interactions between groups and individuals.
The strategies discussed in this research can be effectively applied to modern groups.
