Sherif's Summer Camp Study Quiz

What was the primary objective of Sherif's summer camp study at Robbers Cave State Park?

• To explore the impact of competition and frustration of group goals on stereotyping, prejudice, ingroup solidarity, and cooperation.

• To investigate the effects of social contact on reducing prejudice.

• To examine the role of superordinate goals in reducing intergroup conflict.

• To analyze the influence of parental involvement on intergroup dynamics.

What served as the independent variable in Sherif's study?

• The number of friends identified in the outgroup.

• The boys' beliefs about each other.

• Whether the atmosphere at the camp was one of competition or cooperation.

• The activities included in the Group Formation stage of the camp.

What type of experimental design did Sherif use for this study?

• Field experiment.

• Laboratory experiment.

• Observational study.

• Quasi-experiment.

What were some of the dependent variables in Sherif's study?

• The number of friends identified in the outgroup and the boys' beliefs about each other.

• The boys' abilities, such as IQ and sporting prowess.

• The activities included in the Group Formation stage of the camp.

• The parents' consent for participation in the study.

Describe the characteristics of the sample used in Sherif's study.

• 22 middle-class, Protestant, 11-year-old boys from Oklahoma, USA, who were socially and emotionally well-adjusted and did not know each other prior to the camp.

• 22 middle-class, Catholic, 13-year-old boys from California, USA, who were socially and emotionally well-adjusted and knew each other prior to the camp.

• 22 working-class, Protestant, 11-year-old boys from Oklahoma, USA, who were socially and emotionally well-adjusted and did not know each other prior to the camp.

• 22 middle-class, Protestant, 11-year-old boys from Oklahoma, USA, who were socially and emotionally well-adjusted and knew each other prior to the camp.

How were the boys divided into groups, and why was this division important?

• The boys were divided based on their age to ensure fairness in the study.

• The boys were divided randomly to eliminate any potential bias.

• The boys were divided into two groups based on equivalent abilities, such as IQ and sporting prowess, to control for potential confounding variables.

• The boys were divided into two groups based on their social and emotional adjustment to test the impact of group dynamics.

How did Sherif ensure that the boys' parents and doctors were informed and involved in the study?

• Sherif personally contacted each parent and doctor to explain the study and obtain their consent.

• Sherif sent out information packets to the parents and doctors, including consent forms and study details.

• Sherif held a meeting with the parents and doctors to discuss the study and address any concerns.

• Parents and children's doctors gave consent for participation, but the boys were unaware they were being observed. Parents paid a small fee for the camp.

How many stages did the camp have, and what were they called?

• Two stages: Formation and Conflict.

• Three stages: Group Formation, Friction, and Reducing friction.

• Four stages: Introduction, Competition, Cooperation, and Conclusion.

• Five stages: Preparation, Observation, Analysis, Results, and Conclusion.

What activities were included in the Group Formation stage of the camp?

• Canoeing, tent pitching, and building campfires.

• Hiking, swimming, and playing team sports.

• Arts and crafts, storytelling, and singing.

• Cooking, gardening, and stargazing.

Why did two Eagles go home towards the end of the week during Stage 1?

• They were injured during a competitive contest.

• They were homesick.

• They were punished for misbehavior.

• They were selected for a different study.