Episode 20: The Robber’s Cave Study – Exactly What Happened?

What does the movie Babe and a summer camp in Robber’s Cave State Park in 1954 have in common? This study was carried out years ago by Henry Tajfel and led him to the very important concept called Social Identity theory. Find out this week as we take a look at a study which taught us a great deal about intergroup conflict and how to resolve it. This well known study also helps shed light on one of the roots of racism.

Resources for this Episode

• • The article on conflict resolution: Sherif, M., O.J. Harvey, B.J. White, W.R. hood, and C W. Cherif (1961) Intergroup Conflict and Cooperation: The Robbers Cave Experiment. Norman: University of Oklahoma Book Exchange.

• • Inside Robbers Cave

• • The article by Tajfel on Social Identity Theory: Tajfel, H. and Turner, J. C. (1986). The social identity theory of inter-group behavior. In S. Worchel and L. W. Austin (eds.), Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Chigago: Nelson-Hall

• • Tajfel, H. (1970). Experiments in intergroup discrimination. Scientific American, 23, 96-102.

• • Tajfel, H., Billig, M.G., Bundy, R.P., & Flament, C. (1971). Social categorization and intergroup behavior. European Journal of Social Psychology, 1, 149-178.

• • Social Psychology, 2nd Ed. Roger Brown’s great book: Social Psychology in which the study on conflict resolution is discussed.

• • Babe One of the best, warm hearted movies every made.