Sherrif et al

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to investigate group formation and the effect of conflict, to see under what conditions conflict could be resolved

Question 2

procedure

Answer 2

Sherri sampled 22 11-12 year old boys from Oklahoma, the boys were middle class and came from protestant families that were well adjusted. the experiment followed three main stages, stage 1 in group formation, in groups were formed by having the boys take part in bonding activities such as hiking and swimming. stage 2 frictional phase, the boys took part in competitive games designed to introduce conflict and competition ( baseball, tug of war) stage 3 integration phase, subordinate goals were introduced to reduce intergroup hostility ( fixing water tank, bus)

Question 3

findings

Answer 3

stage 1 - the boys formed an in-group with shared norms and values
stage 2 - the boys displayed signs of hostility and discrimination such as putting up the rattlers flag
stage 3 the boys worked together to fix the water tank and bus

Question 4

conclusion

Answer 4

completion is a leading factor in the creation of conflict. conflict can be resolved via subordinate goals.

Question 5

no control group

Answer 5

Sherri used a pre experimental design, he compared the boys behaviour before and after the conditions instead of comparing the findings to a control group, T/F this questions the internal validity of the study

Question 6

field experiment with high controls

Answer 6

Sherri ensured he had firm controls at each stage of the study, the staff were participant observers so the boys were unaware their behaviour was being recorded as part of a psychological study T/F the study has high internal validity as demand characteristics were reduced thus the boys behaviour is naturally occurring.