From long ago, we have an experiment about group behavior....
What Was the Robbers Cave Experiment in Psychology?
Excerpted....
What Robbers Cave Teaches Us About Human Behavior
Psychologists Michael Platow and John Hunter connect Sherif’s study to social psychology’s social identity theory: the theory that being part of a group has powerful effects on people’s identities and behaviors. Researchers studying social identity have found that people categorize themselves as members of social groups (as the members of the Eagles and Rattlers did), and that these group memberships can lead people to behave in discriminatory and hostile ways towards outgroup members. However, the Robbers Cave study also shows that conflict isn’t inevitable or intractable, as the researchers were eventually able to reduce tensions between the two groups.
The Robbers Cave experiment also allows us to evaluate social psychology’s contact hypothesis. According to the contact hypothesis, prejudice and group conflict can be reduced if members of the two groups spend time with one another, and that contact between groups is especially likely to reduce conflict if certain conditions are met. In the Robbers Cave study, the researchers found that simply bringing the groups together for fun activities was not enough to reduce conflict. However, conflict was successfully reduced when the groups worked together on common goals—and, according to the contact hypothesis, having common goals is one of the conditions that makes it more likely that conflict between the groups will be reduced. In other words, the Robbers Cave study suggests it’s not always enough for groups in conflict to spend time together: instead, the key may be to find a way for the two groups to work together.
Now, back to me....
My helper yesterday hates liberals. They're evil socialists (which is
redundant to him). He doesn't associate with them. All his news &
friendships ('cept for me) are right wingers.
He reminds me so much of many lefties I know. Even on RF, some
advocate giving no respect to the other side...even active hostility.
Each side believes that it has "the truth" & goodness. The other
side is horrible, wallowing in lies & ignorance, & evil intent. To point
this out brings strident denials...tis impossible to share this flaw.
What Was the Robbers Cave Experiment in Psychology?
Excerpted....
What Robbers Cave Teaches Us About Human Behavior
Psychologists Michael Platow and John Hunter connect Sherif’s study to social psychology’s social identity theory: the theory that being part of a group has powerful effects on people’s identities and behaviors. Researchers studying social identity have found that people categorize themselves as members of social groups (as the members of the Eagles and Rattlers did), and that these group memberships can lead people to behave in discriminatory and hostile ways towards outgroup members. However, the Robbers Cave study also shows that conflict isn’t inevitable or intractable, as the researchers were eventually able to reduce tensions between the two groups.
The Robbers Cave experiment also allows us to evaluate social psychology’s contact hypothesis. According to the contact hypothesis, prejudice and group conflict can be reduced if members of the two groups spend time with one another, and that contact between groups is especially likely to reduce conflict if certain conditions are met. In the Robbers Cave study, the researchers found that simply bringing the groups together for fun activities was not enough to reduce conflict. However, conflict was successfully reduced when the groups worked together on common goals—and, according to the contact hypothesis, having common goals is one of the conditions that makes it more likely that conflict between the groups will be reduced. In other words, the Robbers Cave study suggests it’s not always enough for groups in conflict to spend time together: instead, the key may be to find a way for the two groups to work together.
Now, back to me....
My helper yesterday hates liberals. They're evil socialists (which is
redundant to him). He doesn't associate with them. All his news &
friendships ('cept for me) are right wingers.
He reminds me so much of many lefties I know. Even on RF, some
advocate giving no respect to the other side...even active hostility.
Each side believes that it has "the truth" & goodness. The other
side is horrible, wallowing in lies & ignorance, & evil intent. To point
this out brings strident denials...tis impossible to share this flaw.