Muzafer Sherif & The Robbers Cave Experiments

1. Muzafer Sherif & The Robbers Cave Experiments Nickolas Taki Logan Bowen February 2011

2. Muzafer Sherif • Born July 29, 1906 in Turkey • The Founder of Social Psychology • Developed techniques that aided in understanding social processes • Eg: Norms & Conflicts between social Groups

3. Muzafer Sherif • Attended • Istanbul University • Yale University • University of Oklahoma • Pennsylvania State University • Famous for conducting the “Robbers Cave Experiments” • Died October 16, 1988 in Fairbanks Alaska

4. The Robbers Cave Experiments Belonging to a group can alter perception of outsiders

5. Robbers Cave Experiments • An attempt to understand the origins of prejudice • Robbers Cave State Park, Oklahoma • Experiment took place on a 200 acre summer camp • Sherif acted as a janitor, other psychologists acted as camp counselors

6. Robbers Cave Experiments 22 twelve year old boys split into two groups of 11 Neither groups knew of the other

7. Robbers Cave Experiments • The experiment was divided into three phases… • Phase 1 – Formation • The boys were introduced into their own groups • Each group created names; The “Rattlers” and “Eagles” • Soon both groups developed social hierarchies with their own leaders

8. Robbers Cave Experiments • Phase 2 – Friction • Competition between the two groups • Ranged from sports to group activities, etc. • The competition created and raised tension between the groups

9. Robbers Cave Experiments • Phase 3 – Integration • An attempt to lower the tension between the boys • Challenges that required full cooperation • Results were not met positively at first, groups were very hostile towards each other • Camp bus “broke down” requiring all boys to work together to get back to camp • By the end of camp, all boys of both groups wanted to ride in the same bus home

10. ThankYou!