Understanding Group Dynamics and Conflict Resolution

In the 1950s, social psychologist Muzafer Sherif conducted an experiment to understand group tension and conflict resolution. Using a fake summer camp with pre-adolescent boys, he created scenarios of group bonding, competition, and cooperation. Initially, the boys bonded within their groups, but competition for resources led to conflict. In the final stage, cooperative tasks helped reduce tension, confirming Sherif's realistic conflict theory. Modern theories support this, emphasizing socialization and cooperation to reduce group bias.

What was the primary question Muer Sherif aimed to explore in his experiment?

• What causes tension between groups and how to reduce it

• How to increase competition among groups

• How to improve group productivity

• The impact of leadership on group dynamics

What was the artificial setting used by Sherif and his colleagues for the experiment?

• A laboratory setting

• A school environment

• A fake summer camp

• A real summer camp

During the first stage of the experiment, what was the main focus for the groups?

• Competition

• Leadership training

• Group bonding

• Resource allocation

What was the outcome of introducing competition between the groups in the second stage?

• Increased cooperation

• Heightened tension and conflict

• Improved communication

• Better resource management

What was the initial reaction of the groups when they were first introduced to each other?

• Immediate cooperation

• Verbal name-calling

• Indifference

• Friendly interaction

What strategy did the researchers use in the third stage to reduce tension between the groups?

• Increased competition

• Isolation of groups

• Introduction of new leaders

• Team-building activities

What was the effect of the team-building activities on the boys' perceptions of each other?

• Increased hostility

• No change in perception

• Confusion and misunderstanding

• Greater liking and reduced bias

What was the main finding regarding group bias after the team-building activities?

• Increased ingroup bias

• Reduced ingroup bias

• Increased outgroup bias

• No change in bias

What theory was confirmed by the results of Sherif's experiment?

• Groupthink theory

• Cognitive dissonance theory

• Realistic conflict theory

• Social identity theory

According to modern theories, what is one effective way to reduce outgroup bias?

• Socializing and working towards a common cause

• Increasing competition

• Isolating groups

• Providing individual rewards