Sherif planned a disruption of the water supply in a Boy Scout camp in order to observe how social relationships are influenced by
A) reciprocity norms.
B) social-responsibility norms.
C) superordinate goals.
D) the mere exposure effect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sherif's plan to disrupt the water supply in the Boy Scout camp was designed to create a situation where the campers had to work together towards a common goal (finding a new water source) - this is an example of superordinate goals. Sherif was interested in studying how the presence of a common goal that was more important than individual differences would affect the development of social relationships within the group. Reciprocity and social-responsibility norms and the mere exposure effect are not directly relevant to Sherif's study.

Sherif Planned a Disruption of the Water Supply in a Boy