Cavekísérletének

Cavekísérletének, which translates to "Cave Experiment" in English, refers to a series of psychological experiments conducted in the mid-20th century by psychologist Muzafer Sherif. These studies aimed to understand the dynamics of intergroup conflict and cooperation. The most famous iteration of these experiments took place at Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma in 1954.

In the Robbers Cave experiment, a group of 22 pre-adolescent boys, all of similar background, were divided into two teams of 11. These teams were unaware of each other's existence initially. In the first phase, the boys were encouraged to bond within their own groups through activities like camping and hiking, fostering strong in-group identities.

In the second phase, the two groups were made aware of each other and introduced to competitive situations, such as baseball games and tug-of-war, with prizes for the winners. This competition quickly led to hostility, prejudice, and conflict between the groups, demonstrating the ease with which intergroup animosity could develop.

The third phase of the experiment focused on reducing this conflict. Sherif introduced a series of superordinate goals – tasks that required cooperation between the two groups to achieve. Examples included fixing a blocked water supply and pooling resources for a movie. These shared goals, which could not be accomplished by either group alone, gradually fostered cooperation and reduced hostility, leading to a more harmonious relationship between the formerly antagonistic groups. The Cavekísérletének is considered a foundational study in social psychology, illustrating key theories of prejudice, conflict resolution, and the impact of group dynamics.