Sherif's studies

Sherif's studies, particularly the Robbers Cave Experiment, explored how group conflict and cooperation develop. He divided boys into two groups at a summer camp and observed their growing hostility. When the groups competed for limited resources, like prizes, tensions increased. However, Sherif found that introducing shared goals, such as fixing a broken water supply, reduced hostility and encouraged cooperation. These studies demonstrated how group identities form and how conflict can be mitigated through intergroup cooperation, highlighting the importance of common goals in promoting harmony and reducing prejudice.