The Robbers Cave Experiment

The Robbers Cave Experiment, conducted in the 1950s by psychologist Muzafer Sherif, studied intergroup conflict and cooperation. In the experiment, two groups of boys were separated at a summer camp and each developed their own identity and culture. When they were brought together for competition, tensions and hostility arose between the groups. Eventually, the researchers introduced cooperative tasks requiring both groups to work together, which reduced animosity and fostered teamwork. The study demonstrated how quickly group identities form and how conflict can be resolved through shared goals, highlighting insights into prejudice and cooperation in social settings.